Topic for presentation

· Polysemy and context

Seminar 5. The Vocabulary of a Language as a System

Vocabulary as a system. Types of relations of words. Logical relations. Ideographic group. Ideographic dictionaries. Paradigmatic relations in lexical system. Semantic field, lexico-semantic group, hypero-hyponymic group, equonyms (co-hyponyms), synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, paronyms. Syntagmatic relations in lexical system. Lexical valency and combinability (collocability). Context. Unit of context. Types of context. Distributive method (context analysis). Thematic groups. Associative relations in lexical system. Frame.

Test Questions

1. What are the basic types of relations of words?

2. What do syntagmatic relations mean?

3. What relations are called paradigmatic?

4. What semantic relations are synonyms, antonyms, homonyms characterised by?

5. Is there any difference between a sematic field and a thematic group?

6. Is there any difference between a sematic field and a lexico-semantic group?

7. What do the terms ‘hyperonym’ and ‘hyponym’ mean?

8. What is the relation between valency and collocability?

9. What types of linguistic context do you know?

10. How can lexical units be organized on the basis of associative relations?

Tasks and assignments

1. Find the hypernyms (superordinates) in the given lexico-semantic groups:

1) scarlet, vermilion, crimson, red, purple;

2) castle/rook, knight, bishop, chessmen, king, queen, pawn;

3) cod, hake, plaice, mackerel, herring, sardine, fish, trout, salmon, sturgeon;

4) prawn, shrimp, crab, lobster, crayfish, squid, seafood, cockle, mussel, oyster, scallop, plaice, shellfish;

5) felt-tip pen, stationery, folder, paperclips, stapler, highlighter;

6) tiepin, necklace, earring, brooch, pendant, bracelet, jewelry;

7) veal, mutton, beef, pork, turkey, meat, venison, poultry, game, lamb.

Give the examples of three lexico-semantic groups to illustrate hyponyms, hypernyms (superordinates), and co-hyponyms.