北京林业大学：《英语语言学》课程教学资源（PPT课件讲稿）Chapter 03 Lexicon

Chapter 3 Lexicon

Chapter 3 Lexicon

1. What is word? a unit of expression that has universal intuitive recognition by native speakers, whether it is expressed in spoken or written form A vague definition. Three senses are involved in defining“word”, none of which is satisfactory to cope with all the situations

1. What is word? ◼ A unit of expression that has universal intuitive recognition by native speakers, whether it is expressed in spoken or written form. ◼ A vague definition. Three senses are involved in defining “word”, none of which is satisfactory to cope with all the situations

1 Three senses of“word A physical unit: a cluster of sound segments or letters between two pauses or blanks, eg a Phonological: [It Iz wAndofoll a Orthographic: It is wonderful. Three words are recognized

However, in casual speech or writing, it often becomes a Phonological: [its wAndofal] Orthographic: It's wonderful u Are they two words or three?

A set of forms: walk, walks, walking, walked a How many words are there? l usually have dinnerat 6 but yesterday l had It at seven ■ How many times did the word“ have occur:?

◼ A set of forms: walk, walks, walking, walked ◼ How many words are there? ◼ I usually have dinner at 6 but yesterday I had it at seven. ◼ How many times did the word “have” occur?

A lexical item or a lexeme A lexical item is an entry in a dictionary. a lexeme Write includes all of its grammatical forms: wrIte, writes, writing, wrote, written

A lexical item or a lexeme ◼ A lexical item is an entry in a dictionary. A lexeme WRITE includes all of its grammatical forms: ◼ write, writes, writing, wrote, written

a grammatical unit sentence clause phrase d word morpheme ■ Problen: blackboard

◼ A grammatical unit: sentence clause phrase word morpheme ◼ Problem: blackboard

1.2 Identification of words a Stability: stable linguistic units a chairman, but not *mancai a Relative uninterruptibility: though we recognize three components in the word disappointment we cannot pause and add another component in between, as in s disinterestappointment But we can add another word between words Paul, (ohn) and Mary

1.2 Identification of words ◼ Stability: stable linguistic units. ◼ chairman, but not *manchair ◼ Relative uninterruptibility: though we recognize three components in the word disappointment, we cannot pause and add another component in between, as in *disinterestappointment. ◼ But we can add another word between words: Paul, (John) and Mary

A minimum free form the smallest unit that can constitute a complete utterance by itself, eg Is Jane coming tonight? Possibly ■ Wonderful

◼ A minimum free form: the smallest unit that can constitute a complete utterance by itself, eg ◼ --Is Jane coming tonight? ◼ --Possibly. ◼ Hi. ◼ Wonderful

1.3 Classification of words Variable vs Invariable words a Variable words: write, writes, writing, wrote, written, cat cats a Invariable words: since, when, seldom, through,etc

1.3 Classification of words ◼ Variable vs. Invariable Words: ◼ Variable words: write, writes, writing, wrote, written; cat, cats. ◼ Invariable words: since, when, seldom, through, etc