Lexical Change Flashcards
Why do old words dissappear?
1- The word is no longer needed because the thing that the word refers to stops being used, e.g. Inkwell. These words become ‘archaic’ or ‘obsolete’.
2 - Words drop out of use because a synonym replaces it, e.g. damsel
Why do new words appear?
> Inventions are developed or refined and new words enter the language to refer to them, e.g. CD-ROM
We import a word to refer to a newly imported product, activity or idea (borrowing or loan words)
e.g. taco, karaoke
Words are shortened to make them easier to say, e.g. pub
A new word replaces an existing word because people like to be different and up-to-date, e.g. minger. Word coining is rare. More common is to use an old word but give it a new meaning.
Why do words change meaning?
> To reflect technological and social change e.g. pilot, chair
To be different or fashionable e.g. cool, sad
As a result of ‘imperfect’ learning as words are passed from one generation to another e.g. aggravate, unique
Neologism / Coinage
Neologism - creation of a new word or expression
Coinage - invention of a new word or phrase
Neologisms formed through:
> COMPOUNDING (combined morphemes, often Greek or Latin with Anglo-Saxon) e.g. microwave, internet.
> AFFIXATION (adding a suffix to the end of a word or a prefix to the beginning) e.g. non-smoker, malfunction, outgrow, friendliness.
> CONVERSION (from one word class to another) e.g. noun to verb as in access, bottle, finger, text - verb to noun as in smell, answer - adjective to noun as in bitter (beer), mobile (phone)
> ACRONYM (a lexicalised word made up from the initial letters of a phrase, and sounded as a word) e.g. UCAS, radar
> INITIALISM (A word made from initial letters, each being pronounced e.g.CD and DVD)
> BLENDING (blending two existing words) e.g. heliport, smog
> CLIPPING (shortening a word to make it easier to say) e.g. advert, quote, pub, bus
> COINAGE (inventing a totally new word) e.g. jazz, grunge
> EPONYM (from the name of the inventor)
What to look out for lexically in texts?
Is there obsolete lexis or for old roles and practices?
· Is there archaic language or archaic slang?
· Is the lexis Latinate, or of classical derivation, or polysyllabic or formal? Are the collocations archaic or unfamiliar?
· Are there unusual allusions e.g. classical or religious
· Are there any unexplained references?
· Are there differing specialist terms?
· Is there evidence of borrowing, clippings conversion, neologisms or coinages?
· Does lexis suggest technological development?
· Are there any emotive overtones to the lexis?
· Is there evidence of colloquial or slang lexis? Is the lexis of Old English origin or short words or informal? *Is it largely intelligible and familiar?
· What influence has technology, gender or power had?
