3 . English as an adaptive system.

The term “system” denotes not a sum total of English w-ds: to collect and explain them is the task of lexicography accomplished in the numerous explanatory, historical and other dictionaries of lang. but a set of elements associating and functioning together according to certain laws.

The term system denotes a logical homogeneous whole, constituted by interdependent elements of the same order related in certain specific ways. Lexicology studies this whole by determining properties of its elements, different relationships of contrast and similarity existing b/w them within a language, as well as the ways in which they are influenced by extra-linguistic reality.

The term system as applied to the voc-ry should not be understood to mean a well-defined or rigid system. It is an adaptive system constantly changing and can’t be completely & exactly char-zed by deterministic functions.

There always exists the problem of nominating when smth. new appears in extra-linguistic reality and people have to name it. Being an adaptive system the lang. enables the speaker to use the already existing words in a new communicative situation. This process shows the links with the word has with objective reality. Words depend on the social, cultural and development of community.

Lang. as a system studied on 2 levels:

• Paradigmatic

• Syntagmatic

On the syntagmatic level the semantic structure of the word is analyzed in its linear relations with neighboring words in connected speech.

Semantic characteristics are observed studied and described on the basis of its typical context. The context levels to identity and distinguish, we usually say that lexical units are context depended.

Syntagmatic relations are those which are actually seen or heard because syntagm is called successive ling. element.

On the paradigmatic level the word is studied with other words in the voc-ry system these are vertical relations. Verticality exists in our mind, horizontality exists in reality. A lang. user knows certain lexical items of this lang. and is aware of some features of them, for instance, similarities, oppositions etc. In a paradigm the word can be studied in comparison with similar words (synonymy). We may study opposite meanings (antonyms), relations of words which have different stylistic characteristics.

4. Neologisms and archaism.

New word expressions are created for new things irrespective of their scale of importance. They may be all important and concern some social relationships (new form/ state) People’s republic. Or smth threatening the very existence of humanity nuclear war or the thing may be short lived. N is a newly coined word, phrase/ a new meaning for an existing word / a word borrowed from another language.

The development of science and industry technology: black hole, internet, supermarket.

The adaptive lexical system isn’t only adding new units but readjust the ways & means of word formation radio detection and ranging – RADAR

The lex. System may adopt itself by combining several word-building processes face-out (noun) – the radioactive dust descending through the air after an anatomic explosion. This word was coined by composition/ compounding & conversion.

Teach –in (n) –a student conference/ series of seminars on some burning issue of the day, meaning some demonstration on protest. This pattern is very frequent lis–in , due-in means protest demonstration when fluking traffic. Bionies – the combination of bio & electron.

Back formation: air-condion – air-conditioner – air-conditioning

Semi-affixes (могут быть как самостоятельные слова) chairman used to be not numerous and might be treated as exceptions now, evolving into separate set.

Some N abscessed with smth and containing the elements mad & happy: powermad, moneymad, auto-happy.

Conversion, composition, semantic change are in constant use when coining N

The change of meaning rather an introduction of a new additional meaning may be illustrated by the word NETWORK – stations for simultaneous broadcast of the same program.

Once accepted N may become a basis for further word formation. ZIP – to zip – zipper – zippy.

The lex. System is unadaptive system, developing for many centuries and reflecting the changing needs, servicing only in special context. Archaism & historisms.

Archaism – once common but are now replaced by synonyms. Mostly they are poetic: morn – arch, morning – new word, hapless – arch, unlucky – modern.

Historism – when the causes of the word’s disappearance are extralinguistic, eg. The thing named is no longer used. They are very numerous as names for social relations, institutions, objects of material culture of the past, eg. many types of sailing craft belong to the past: caravels, galleons.A great many of H denotes various types of weapons in historical novels: blunderbuss - мушкетер, breastplate. Many of them are in Voc in some figurative meaning: shiel – щит, sword. – меч.

6. Special properties:

1) L.signs form a very complex system, which is subdivided into subsystems.

2) universal s-m (it can express ANY idea of mind of human communication)

3) the signs are not only the means of exchanging words but also the means of exchanging thoughts

4) L.signs are able to be combined into larger units à word possesses a combinatory power. Ann was in brown study. (without an article)

Two kinds of l. Signs: ready-made (phonemes, morphemes) and newly-formed (created in the process of speech)

Absolute properties:

1) a word possesses form and meaning

2) reference to style: neutral and stylistically-coloured or marked

3) frequency of usage: recurrent and non-recurrent

4) referece to time: archaic, obsolete, historisms, noelogisms, noncewords-autorisms.

Relative properties:

Interrelations b/w words because of assossiations à groups

Psychological

1) solid pronunciaion (without pauses b/w syllables)

2) w is an indivisible unit; integrity of form and meaning

3) autonomous unit