Lexicon and Vocabulary in Language

Lexicon and Vocabulary

• A person's recognition vocabulary, also known as their lexicon, is the total number of words they know and can recognize.
• The average adult native English speaker has a lexicon of approximately 35,000 words.
• The lexicon is divided into two parts: the surface lexicon and the deep lexicon.

Surface Lexicon

• The surface lexicon consists of roughly 1,500 words that make up about 90% of a person's daily language use.
• These words are often referred to as "workhorse words" and are frequently used in everyday conversations.
• Examples of workhorse words include "good", "great", and "amazing".

Deep Lexicon

• The deep lexicon consists of words that a person recognizes but does not frequently use in their daily language.
• These words are often more profound and expressive, but are not as easily accessible as surface lexicon words.
• Examples of deep lexicon words include "tasty", "savory", and "gourmet".

Moving Words from Deep to Surface Lexicon

• There are three ways to move words from the deep lexicon to the surface lexicon:
  • Through vocal repetition: using the word frequently in distinct and contextual instances.
  • Through giving yourself more time to index your recognition vocabulary: taking time to think before speaking allows your brain to interact deeper into your word knowledge.
  • Through creating a heuristic associated with the word: associating the word with a visual or sensory cue to make it more memorable.

Creating a Heuristic

• A heuristic is a visual or sensory cue associated with a word to make it more memorable.
• Examples of heuristics include creating images or sentences associated with the word.
• Creating multiple heuristics (e.g. three images or sentences) can help to further solidify the word in your memory.

Lexicon and Vocabulary

• A person's lexicon, or recognition vocabulary, refers to the total number of words they know and can recognize, with the average adult native English speaker having a lexicon of approximately 35,000 words.

Surface Lexicon

• The surface lexicon consists of around 1,500 words that make up about 90% of a person's daily language use.
• These words are often referred to as "workhorse words" and are frequently used in everyday conversations.
• Examples of workhorse words include "good", "great", and "amazing".

Deep Lexicon

• The deep lexicon consists of words that a person recognizes but does not frequently use in their daily language.
• These words are often more profound and expressive, but are not as easily accessible as surface lexicon words.
• Examples of deep lexicon words include "tasty", "savory", and "gourmet".

Moving Words from Deep to Surface Lexicon

• There are three ways to move words from the deep lexicon to the surface lexicon:
  • Through vocal repetition: using the word frequently in distinct and contextual instances.
  • Through giving yourself more time to index your recognition vocabulary: taking time to think before speaking allows your brain to interact deeper into your word knowledge.
  • Through creating a heuristic associated with the word: associating the word with a visual or sensory cue to make it more memorable.

Creating a Heuristic

• A heuristic is a visual or sensory cue associated with a word to make it more memorable.
• Examples of heuristics include creating images or sentences associated with the word.
• Creating multiple heuristics (e.g. three images or sentences) can help to further solidify the word in your memory.

Learn about the different aspects of a person's vocabulary, including the surface and deep lexicon, and how they impact daily language use.