Lexicology.docVIP

Lexicology Preface: I. What is lexicology? II. What is the scope of lexicology? III. Why do we study lexicology? Chapter I A General Survey of English Vocabulary I. Definition of word: Two linguistic forms: bound form free form Bloomfield: emphasize syntax. A word is “a minimum free form”. Antoine Meillet: Words are also either spoken or written. II. The Development of English Vocabulary A. English Vocabulary as Viewed as in the Historical Perspective Celtic-→Anglo-→Saxon(begin with) Three periods: 1. Old English(449-1100) Anglo-Saxon words: e.g. call, die, give, take, they words borrowed from Latin: e.g. cheap, bargain, cup, dish, wall words directly borrowed from Latin: e.g. hymn, martyr, nun, priest, pope 2. Middle English(1100-1500) Characterized by the strong influence of French following the Norman Conquest in 1066. In this period English borrowed mainly from: French words, Latin words through French, Latin words English borrowed French loan words in every section of vocabulary: law: judge, jury governmental administration: parliament, state military affairs: conquer, victory religion: sermon, confess, baptism clothing: coat, dress, robe food; beef, mutton, pork, dinner art; beauty, image, design literature: chapter, poet, prose, rime science; medicine, surgeon Although English is a heavy borrower, the core of its vocabulary remains English. 3. Modern English(1500-) The early stage of this period(1500-1700) The Renaissance brought great changes to the vocabulary: Latin: Mainly in science and abstract ideas, e.g. chemist, scientific, function, irony, theory, area, education 2) Greek: Literary words: drama, comedy, tragedy, lexicon Technical: botany Scientific: physics 3) other three Romance languages: French, Spanish, Italian 4) From Chinese: B. The Rapid Growth of Present-Day English Vocabulary and Its Causes 1. growth 2. three main causes: 1)