英语专业词汇学讲义.doc

+-+Introduction to Lexicology Lexicology The term lexicology contains two Greek morphemes: lexicon and logie. The former means ‘word’, the latter means ‘learning’, or ‘the study of’. So the literal meaning of the term is ‘science of words.’ Lexicology is the branch of linguistics concerned with the study of the vocabulary of a given language. It deals with words, their origin, development, history, structure, meaning and application. In short, it is the study of the signification and application of word. Lexicology: subdiscipline of linguistics or, more specifically, semantics that investigates and describes the structure of the vocabulary of a language. Lexicology also examines linguistic expressions for their internal semantic structure and the relationships between individual words or lexical 10units.lexicography Aims and significance of the course of English lexicology All the words in a language together constitute what is known as its vocabulary. Vocabulary is one of the three elements of language: speech sounds, grammar and vocabulary. In learning a foreign language, it is very important to enlarge one’s vocabulary. The aim of the course in English lexicology is to give a systematic description of the English vocabulary. Concretely speaking, it offers students an insight into the origin and development of the English vocabulary. It deals with meanings of modern English words and their changes in the course of historical development. It discusses the problems of word structure and word formation in English, including the formation of new words which have appeared since WWII especially since the 1960s. It also studies the use of English words, phrases and idioms. The significance of a course in English lexicology for language learners is also evident. The course will help the learners to enlarge their vocabulary and improve their ability to analyze and use English words. A good knowledge of morphological structure of English words and rules of word formation w