Lecture 1 -

Introduction to
Lexicology
Mgr. Martin Mačura
 Introduction and definitions
► Lexicology is a specialty in linguistics dealing
with the study of the lexicon. The term first
appeared in the 1820's, though obviously there
were lexicologists before that.
► Lexicology is the systematic historical (diachronic)
and contemporary (synchronic) study of the
lexicon or vocabulary of a language. Lexicologists
study semantics on a mass scale. Lexicography is
the art and science of dictionary making.
Lexicography also has a history.
 Introduction and definitions
► Lexicology is the study of lexis or stock
of words/word stock in a language. We
will also use the word vocabulary
interchangeably with lexis. You might also
encounter the term lexicon, which
(unfortunately) can be used in a couple of
ways; firstly, it can be used as a more
technical version of lexis; many people use
it synonymously with dictionary.
 Introduction and definitions
► [1820s, from Greek lexikós of words, -logia study] An area of
language study concerned with the nature, meaning, history
and use of words and word elements and often also with the
critical description of lexicography (McArthur 1992)
► That branch of knowledge which treats of words, their form,
history, and meaning. (OED online)
► 1 the study of the history and meaning of words. 2 the
analytical study of lexicography. (Chambers 21st century
dictionary, 1996)
► An area of language study concerned with nature, meaning,
history and use of words and word elements.(McArthur, 1992)
► Study of overall structure and history of vocabulary in a
language. (Collins English Dictionary)
► A branch in linguistics concerned with the meaning and use of
words. (Longman Dictionary of Eng. Lang.)
 Introduction and definitions
► The definitions suggest that we should be
concerned about:
morphology (structure, form)
etymology and history (etymology is to do with
word derivation and source)
semantics (meaning)
lexicography
pragmatic use (partly stylistics, etc..)
 Introduction and definitions
Noted Lexicologists:
► Damaso Alonso, (1898)
Spanish literary critic and lexicologist
► Roland Barthes, (1915)
French writer, critic and lexicologist
► Samuel Johnson (1709, 1755-
Dictionary of the English Language )
► Pierre Larousse (1817)
► Noah Webster (1828- Webster’s
Dictionary)
 Introduction and definitions
► Howard Jackson
(Words, Meaning and Vocabulary)
► Laurie Bauer
(English Word-formation)
► Ray Jackendoff
(Foundations of Language)
► Geoffrey Leech
(Word Frequencies, English
Grammar)
 Ideas to begin with
► Beginning of John's Gospel – word, beginning of cosmos, beginning of
our communication, word is creative, it changes the world
► Logos in Greek means word and speech
► Parole (fr.), palabra (sp.), parola (it.)
I want a word with you.
A word in the right ear works wonders.
When you are free for lunch, just say the word.
Ministers words were misinterpreted by the media.
The wording needs to be revised.
► Not much can be communicated without words
► Children acquire the awareness of words earlier than sentences, 2-3
yr old ones already correct their vocabulary, not their syntax.
► Even the linguistic disciplines, although each analyzing its own
focus with its own means, all spin around words – words are central to
language.
► Philosophical question – Would languages exist without words?
 The big picture
► Pragmatic communicative approach has
pervaded linguistics. Each of its disciplines is
focused on teaching us communicate
effectively
► To make communication solid: phonetics,
morphology, lexicology, syntax,
stylistics, context
 The big picture
► Thereis a slight problem with the
placement of lexicology – it has no definite
place within:
 Theoretical linguistics (phon, morph, synt,
sem, styl, prag)
 Applied linguistics (education, esl,efl,
methodology)
 Phonology / phonetics
[phoneme]

Morphology
[morpheme]

etymology
Lexicology
[lexeme]

semiotics
semantics

Syntax
[syntagm] Size of the
hypersyntax element for
analysis

pragmatics
Stylistics
sociolinguistics
[style]
The big picture
► Language consists of
skeleton and flesh
 Skeleton – rules, grammar,
structure, form = closed
system
 Flesh – words, vocabulary,
content, meaning,
semantics = open system
 Types of lexicology
1. General Lexicology: general theory of
lexicology applied to any language.
2. Special Lexicology: lexicology of a given
language (Slovak lexicology etc.)
 Lexicology and other disciplines
1. Lexicology and Phonology
They seem not to be related; however, sound
changes in words like pill bill, meat meal,
affect the meaning. These sound changes
may occur anywhere in the word.
Suprasegmental units affecting meaning
(export, export). Stress (blackboard, black
board)
 Lexicology and other disciplines
2. Lexicology and Syntax
Syntax gives us general rules for word-classes
to behave. Lexicology is more specific
because it studies the meaning of words
used. Syntactical rules are arbitrary from
lexicological rules and meaning. Colorless
green ideas sleep furiously (Chomsky)
 Lexicology and other disciplines
3. Lexicology and Morphology
Construction of words and parts of words and
distinction between different parts of words
are all based on morphological analysis.
Morphology is relevant in word formation.
From this perspective, we use morphemes
to form words. Morphemes are the smallest
meaningful units.
 Lexicology and other disciplines
4. Lexicology and Semantics
Lexicology is preoccupied with meaning. (1) Pragmatic
semantics (meaning of utterances in context), (2)
sentence semantics (meaning of sentences and
relations between sentences) [John jumped out of the
third floor...], (3) lexical semantics (meaning of
words, internal relations within the word-stock).
► Concepts of acceptability and meaningfulness
introduced into semantics.
► Meaningless but acceptable: That walking stick is a
gun!
► Meaningful but unacceptable: John's behavior pleased
the bananas.