The Notion of Lexical System

There has been much discussion of late, concerning different problems of the systematic nature of a language vocabulary. “The term system denotes a coherent homogeneous whole constituted by interdependent elements of the same order related in certain specific ways”.

Lexicology studies this (system) whole by determining the properties of its elements and the different relationships existing between them within a language, as well as the ways in which they are influenced by extra-linguistic reality.

The extra-linguistic relationships refer to the connections of words with elements of objective reality they serve to denote. The existence of different words in different languages proves that in different languages the name of the object may be taken from different characteristic features.

The Russian word “стол” is connected with the verb «стлать». The English verb “table” - with the Latin “tabula”, доска.

Linguistic relationships between words are classified into syntagmatic and paradigmatic.

парадигматика

Я à идуà в кино the scheme presents the

Тыà идёшьà в театр relationship between

Он à идетà домой syntagmatic and

Мыà идём à к знакомым paradigmatic

синтагматика

Syntagmatic is something said in the language. It may be measured in time and has a linear character of speech. Context influences it greatly. Paradigmatic is understood as the vocabulary of something said in the language which consists not only of words, but other elements as well.

(morphemes)

A very difficult problem of the border between a word and a phrase interested many scientists. Prof. Smirnitsky contributed a lot to its solution. A very important criterion helping to distinguish between a word and a phrase is the unity (целестность) of the word which makes any insertion in the word impossible.

For instance: turn to account (обратить в свою пользу) may be enhanced if we insert “ Good”.

day after day - изо дня в день

day after useless but precious day (Wilson) – (от одного бесполезного, но драгоценного дня до другого).

But what can we insert in, alive, bird or any other word?

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