What is lexis?
What is semantics
word choice
How words are categorised
Key features to study in lexis and semantics
-denotative and connotative meanings of words
-how meanings constructed through figurative language
-how indivs vary vocabulary choices according to audience and purpose
-how words and meanings change over time
What is an open word class?
A word class that can be changed or added to
What is a closed-word class?
Word classes that are rarely changed or added to
Semantic fields
groups of words connected by a shared field
(Medicine, art)
What is a synonym?
Words that sound different but have same meanings
What is an antonym?
Words with opposing/contrsting meanings
What is a complementary antonym?
Words that are exact opposites
What is a gradable antonym?
Opposing words that lie on a continuous spectrum
eg, my ‘short’ isn’t the same as yours
What are collocations?
Words that typically appear together
What are euphemisms?
Socially accepted words or phrases to avoid saying something embarrassing
What are dysphemisms?
Harsher words used for humor
eg, he’s shitting through the eye of a needle
What is a hyponym?
The least specific, most general word
eg, food
What is a hypernym?
More specific term
eg, Granny Smith
What is a connotation?
Associations made around a word
What is a denotation?
A dictionary definition
What is cohesion?
Words/phrases that stick texts together
(make texts flow)
What is anaphoric referencing?
Referring back to a name
(name before)
What is cataphoric referencing?
Referring forwards to a name
(name after)
What is substitution?
Replacing a word with another to avoid repetition
What is an ellipsis?
Missing out words in a sentence
eg, where did you go on holiday?
-Portugal
levels of formality
slang, colloquialisms, taboo, formal
Occupational register
technical vocab associated with particular occupation
Sociolect
language style associated with particular social group
