Lecture 2. The English Word as a Structure

Meaning is studied as interdependence btw words and their referents (things or concepts).

Shallow- shallowness.

Lexical (lexico-semantic system) is an adaptive system adjusting itself to the changing requirements and conditions of human communication and cultural surroundings. It is in a state of constant change.

It is a coherent homogeneous whole constituted by interdependent elements of the same order related in certain specific ways.

Lexical (lexico-semantic system) is a set of elements, associated and functioning together according to certain laws.

All right, never mind, How do you do

Give a smile, make a promise,

Morpheme is a part of a word.

Orthographic words are written as a sequence of letters bounded by spaces on a page.

Word is the basic unit of the vocabulary (semantic, orthographic, morphological integrity).

Words, morphemes and set expressions.

Set expression is a word group or a ready-made unit with a specialized meaning of the whole different from the meaning of the elements:

bring- bring up, call- call on, put- put off;

Fuzzy sets (with blurred boundaries):

Phrasal verbs: give up, make up, and look after;

Formulaic expressions: All right, never mind, nothing doing;

Phraseological units:

Take a walk (to smile, to promise, to walk);

Inconsistencies:

All right but altogether;

Lieutenant-colonel but flight lieutenant

Never mind but nevertheless.

(Word equivalents)

Functions:

· nominative,

· significative,

· communicative and

· pragmatic.

Semantic correlations (not rigid and fixed):

Short-shortness;

Narrow – narrowness;

But: long – length;

Wide- width;

Deep- depth;

Big- size.

Functional approach:

The syntagmatic (linear) combinatorial relations: Lexical units are context -dependent.

Ex.: the hat on her head:: the head of the government (contextual meaning)

- contextual,

- valency,

- distributional (colligation, collocation),

- transformational types of analysis.

Referential (onomasiological) approach (theory of nomination):

Polydimentional opposition: comprises many elements of the system:

skilled:: unskilled;

Able:: unable;

accountable:: unaccountable;

affected:: unaffected;

armed:: unarmed;

Immovable, deforestation, miscalculate – the new words

Text

When some years ago, knowing ten words of English and using them all wrong, I applied for a translator’s job, my would – be employer (or would – not – be employer) softly remarked: “I am afraid your English is somewhat unorthodox.” This translated into any continental language would mean: EMPLOYER (to the commissioner): “Jean, kick this gentleman down the steps!

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