Flashcards on Introduction to English Lexicology
Introduction to English Lexicology: A Comprehensive Guide
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English Lexicology and Vocabulary
112 cards
Card 1
Question: What is lexicology concerned with in the study of language?
Answer: The study of the lexicon (vocabulary), including vocabulary size, word origins, word formation, and how words convey information within communication.
Card 2
Question: Approximately how many words should a non-native speaker master for academic or professional purposes?
Answer: About 6,000 to 8,000 words.
Card 3
Question: What balance shapes the English lexicon according to the text?
Answer: A balance between the stock of native words and the influx of foreign borrowings over the centuries.
Card 4
Question: Name social and cultural influences that affect the contemporary English lexicon.
Answer: Everyday conversation (colloquialisms, slang), advances in technology (electronic literacies), speed of life (abbreviations), closer international rel
Card 5
Question: Which word‑building processes play a crucial part in English vocabulary growth?
Answer: Principal processes: derivation, compounding, and conversion; Minor processes: shortening, backformation, and other methods used to create vocabulary
Card 6
Question: Why is vocabulary considered a problematic area for learners, and what source can help reduce errors?
Answer: Learners often make errors in proper word use; analysis from the Cambridge Learner Corpus (a multi-billion word collection of diverse texts) can help
Card 7
Question: List typical sources included in the Cambridge Learner Corpus.
Answer: Newspapers, the web, books, magazines, radio, exams, schools, universities, the workplace, and everyday conversation.
Card 8
Question: Why must students of English understand the origins and composition of the lexicon?
Answer: To grasp where the immensity of vocabulary comes from and how native stock and borrowings interact, aiding comprehension and effective use.
Card 9
Question: What role do new entities play in vocabulary growth?
Answer: New entities require names, prompting word‑formation processes to create new lexical items.
Card 10
Question: What is emphasized as crucial for conveying information in written and spoken communication?
Answer: Words (vocabulary) are crucial for conveying information in any written text or spoken dialogue.