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2.2. The notion of lexical system

Lexical system (lexico-semantic – V. Vinogradov) is a set of elements associated & functioning together according to certain laws. It is a coherent homogeneous whole, constituted by interdependent elements of the same order related in certain specific ways. It is an adaptive system constantly adjusting itself to the changing requirements & conditions of human communications &cultural surroundings.

The lexical system of every epoch contains: productive elements typical of this particular period; obsolete & dropping out of usage; new phenomena, significant marks of new trends. The present status of a system is an abstraction, which can facilitate linguistic study. The actual system of the language is in a state of constant change.

Lexicology studies this whole by determining the properties of its elements, relationships of contrast & similarity existing between them within a language, & the ways in which they are influenced by extra-linguistic reality. The extra-linguistic relationships are connections of Ws with the elements of objective reality they denote, & their dependence on the social, mental & cultural development of the language community.

The theory of reflection is methodological basis of lexicology. Objective reality is approximately but correctly reflected in the human mind. The notions rendered in the meanings of the Ws are generalised reflections of real objects & phenomena. The reflection of objective reality is selective: human thought & language select, reflect & nominate what is relevant to human activity.

The interdependence in the lexical system results from a complex interaction of Ws in their lexical meanings & the grammatical features of the language. V. Vinogradov includes in this term both the sum total of Ws & expressions & the derivational & functional patterns of W forms & W-groups, semantic groupings & relationships between Ws. The interaction of various levels in the language system may be illustrated in English by the widespread development of homonymy & polysemy, the loss of motivation, the great number of generic Ws & the very limited autonomy of English Ws as compared with Russian.

Elements of the lexical system are characterised by their combinatorial & contrastive properties determining their syntagmatic & paradigmatic relationships. W enters into syntagmatic (linear) combinatorial relationships with other lexical units that can form its context, serving to identify & distinguish its meaning. Lexical units are context-dependent (the hat on her head – the head of the department). W enters into contrastive paradigmatic relations with all other Ws (head, chief, director) that can occur in the same context & be contrasted to it. This principle of contrast / opposition is fundamental in modern linguistics. Paradigmatic & syntagmatic studies of meaning are functional: the meaning of the lexical unit is studied first through its functions in relation to other units.

In referential / onomasiological approach (theory of nomination) meaning is studied as the interdependence between Ws & their referents (things / concepts they name).

The study of the lexical system includes the study of the Ws’ combinatorial possibilities (valency, distributional characteristics, colligation & collocation, combining power). Syntagmatic relationships are studied by means of contextual, valency, distributional, transformational analysis.

Paradigmatic linguistic relationships are based on the interdependence of Ws within the vocabulary (synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy, etc.).

Diachronically the interdependence of Ws within the lexical subsystem is seen by observing shifts in the meaning of existing Ws when a new W is introduced into their semantic sphere. Almost any change in one W will cause changes in 1 / several other Ws. OE haerfest (ModE harvest) meant ‘the gathering of grain’ & ‘the season for reaping’. In the late 14th century, after the Romance word autumne > autumn was borrowed, the 2nd meaning was lost & transferred to autumn.

The phonetical, morphological & syntactical language systems condition the sound form, morphological structure, motivation & meaning of Ws (the monosyllabic phonological type of the English W enhances homonymy).