【正文】 ct—that is, a statement can be written in an acceptable form and still convey the wrong meaning. Semantic or lexical field The vocabulary of a language is not an unstructured collection of words. There exist certain meaning relations among them. Lexicologists use meaning relations to propose descriptions of vocabulary structure. One of the concepts used is the semantic or lexical field. A semantic field contains words that belong to a defined area of meaning. Crystal (1995) defines a semantic field as a 39。 3. With stylistics。re divorcing. 8. words Hostile or angry remarks made back and forth. 9. Word: the Bible. Difficulties in the Definition of the Word The word may be defined differently depending on whether we focus on its representation, the thought which it expresses, or purely formal criteria. There have been several types of definitions. The first type of definition relies mainly on writing traditions The second type of definition considers the word as a thought unit or a psychological unit. The third type of definition relies only on purely formal criteria. Major Features of Words 1. A word is a sound or bination of sounds which we make voluntarily with our vocal equipment. 2. A word is symbolic and is used to stand for something else. 3. The word is an uninterruptible unit. 4. A word has to do with its social function. 5. A word may consist of one or more morphemes. 6. Words are part of the large munication system we call language. 7. A word occurs typically in the structure of phrases. The Connection of Lexicology with Other Branches of Linguistics 1. With phoics。 an order: gave the word to retreat. b. A verbal signal。 lyrics. 5. An assurance or a promise。 an utterance, a remark, or a ment: May I say a word about that? 3. words Discourse or talk。 a van. a buggy a coup233。 a stagecoach. coup233。A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH LEXICOLOGY CHAPTER 1 LEXICOLOGY AND WORDS Introduction What Is Lexicology? What Is a word The Connection of Lexicology with Other Branches of Linguistics Lexical and Grammatical Words Words and Semantic Fields Aims and Significance of the Course of English Lexicology Approaches to the Study of English Lexicology Introduction Words are the building block of the English language. They are very important in verbal munication. We shall review in this chapter the term lexicology, the concept of word, word classes, the features of word, and the concept of semantic fields. We shall also discuss the difficulties in the definition of the word, the major features of words, and the place of words in linguistic analysis. Language, Linguistics and Lexicology What is language? 1. a. The use by human beings of voice sounds, and often written symbols representing these sounds, in anized binations and patterns in order to express and municate thoughts and feelings. b. A system of words formed from such binations and patterns, used by the people of a particular country or by a group of people with a shared history or set of traditions. 2. a. A nonverbal method of municating ideas, as by a system of signs, symbols, gestures, or rules: the language of algebra. b. Computer Science. A system of symbols and rules used for munication with or between puters. 3. Body language。 kinesics. 4. The special vocabulary and usages of a scientific, professional, or other group: “ his total mastery of screen language— camera placement, editing— and his handling of actors” (Jack Kroll). 5. A characteristic style of speech or writing: Shakespearean language. 6. a. Abusive, violent, or profane utterance: “ language that would make your hair curl” (. Gilbert). b. A particular manner of utterance: gentle language. 7. The manner or means of munication between living creatures other than human beings: the language of dolphins. 8. Verbal munication as a subject of study. 9. The wording of a legal document or statute as distinct from the spirit. ? Language is a system underlying the speech of a munity. Saussure ? Language is a system in the mind of an individual. ? It is the set of sentences characterized or to be characterized by a generative grammar. Chomsky ? Language is a set of sentences potentially observable in a speech munity. Bloomfield Language is a system of symbols based on physiology, psychology and physics. It is a special social action and a carrier of information used for human munication in a society. [趙世開：《論語言和語言學習》 1980] Functions of Language 1. Social function 2. Psychological function 1. Social function Language is used as a means of munication in a society. It grows and develops with the growth and development of a society. No society, no language. Take the means of transportation for example: buggy – 1. A small, light, onehorse carriage usually having four wheels in the United States and two wheels in Great Britain. 2. A baby carriage. gig – A light, twowheeled carriage drawn by one horse. troika – A Russian carriage drawn by a team of three horses abreast. coach – . A motorbus. b. A railroad passenger car. c. A closed