Podcast
Questions and Answers
The internal composition of a word is known as its ______.
The internal composition of a word is known as its ______.
morphological structure
The core part of the word carrying the primary meaning is called the ______.
The core part of the word carrying the primary meaning is called the ______.
root
The prefix 'ir-' in 'irresistible' serves a ______ function.
The prefix 'ir-' in 'irresistible' serves a ______ function.
negation
The suffix '-ible' transforms verbs into adjectives, meaning 'capable of being' and it is a ______ morpheme.
The suffix '-ible' transforms verbs into adjectives, meaning 'capable of being' and it is a ______ morpheme.
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A word can be broken down into smaller meaningful units called ______.
A word can be broken down into smaller meaningful units called ______.
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Morphologically, a word is seen as a single, coherent unit, but it can be divided into its ______.
Morphologically, a word is seen as a single, coherent unit, but it can be divided into its ______.
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Some words, like contractions, can be split into their component parts, such as 'do' + 'not', which shows their ______ structure.
Some words, like contractions, can be split into their component parts, such as 'do' + 'not', which shows their ______ structure.
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The external structure of a word refers to its complete form in a given ______.
The external structure of a word refers to its complete form in a given ______.
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Lexicology is the branch of linguistics that deals with the study of ______, their meanings, their development, and their relationships to each other within a language.
Lexicology is the branch of linguistics that deals with the study of ______, their meanings, their development, and their relationships to each other within a language.
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The term 'lexicology' comes from the Greek word 'lexis,' meaning 'word' or 'speech,' and '______,' meaning 'study' or 'discourse.'
The term 'lexicology' comes from the Greek word 'lexis,' meaning 'word' or 'speech,' and '______,' meaning 'study' or 'discourse.'
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The concept of a 'word' can vary across different languages, making its ______ as a linguistic phenomenon complex.
The concept of a 'word' can vary across different languages, making its ______ as a linguistic phenomenon complex.
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In linguistics, a word is typically seen as a unit of ______ that can stand alone.
In linguistics, a word is typically seen as a unit of ______ that can stand alone.
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Compound words, clitics, and inflectional forms all demonstrate the ______ of word boundaries.
Compound words, clitics, and inflectional forms all demonstrate the ______ of word boundaries.
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Phonological structure refers to the ______ pattern of the word, such as its pronunciation.
Phonological structure refers to the ______ pattern of the word, such as its pronunciation.
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The main problems of lexicology include determining word ______, understanding meaning and semantics, and studying lexical relations.
The main problems of lexicology include determining word ______, understanding meaning and semantics, and studying lexical relations.
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Lexical semantics is the study of the ______ of words and their nuances in different contexts.
Lexical semantics is the study of the ______ of words and their nuances in different contexts.
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Study Notes
Lexicology
- Lexicology is the study of words, their meanings, development, and relationships within a language
- "Lexicology" comes from Greek "lexis" (word/speech) and "logos" (study/discourse)
- Key problems in lexicology include:
- Defining a word
- Understanding word meaning (polysemy, synonymy)
- Word formation (processes like derivation, compounding, borrowing)
- Etymology (word origins)
- Lexical relations (synonyms, antonyms, etc.)
- Word nuances in different contexts
Word Definition Problems
- Defining "word" is difficult due to unclear boundaries
- Words are often seen as units of meaning, but this becomes ambiguous in:
- Compound words (e.g., toothpaste)
- Clitics (e.g., "n't" in "isn't")
- Inflectional forms (e.g., "run," "ran," "running")
- Phonological/syntactic units (e.g., contractions)
- Word definition requires considering syntactic role, meaning, form, and usage
Word Structure
- Phonological Structure: The sounds and pronunciation of a word
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Morphological Structure: The internal composition using:
- Root: The core meaning part
- Affixes: Prefixes, suffixes, etc. modifying root meaning
- Inflectional endings: Indicate grammatical features like tense or number
- Syntactic Structure: The word's role in a sentence and its relation to other words
Example: Irresistible
- External structure: "ir" + "resist" + "ible"
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Internal structure:
- "ir-": Negating the root's meaning
- "resist": The base meaning
- "-ible": Turns the verb into an adjective
Formal Unity of a Word
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Words are seen as coherent units
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However, words are made of smaller meaningful units (morphemes)
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Roots, prefixes, suffixes, and inflections
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Words can be broken down phonologically (syllables) and syntactically (e.g., contractions)
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Description
Test your knowledge on lexicology, the study of words and their meanings. This quiz covers key problems in defining words, understanding word structure, and exploring lexical relations. Dive into the intricate world of language and expand your understanding of vocabulary!
