All our interaction takes place through language. We communicate information, share emotions and reflect with words. But what are these words without meaning? Just a set of letters. It is our perception, thoughts and memories that can breathe life into a dry set of sounds. The whole process is determined by vocabulary, without it all this would be impossible. So let's get acquainted with what vocabulary is, the definition and properties of a language.
Definition
Definitions of “What is Vocabulary?” may vary, as a rule, in detail, but always have the following base. Vocabulary is a collection of words and expressions in a language. Vocabulary is studied by a special science - lexicology. The objects of study of this discipline are constantly expanding due to the dynamic development of the vocabulary itself. New words are added, new meaning is changed or added to existing ones. In addition, the emphasis on words is changeable: some go into a passive vocabulary (are no longer used in speech), some, on the contrary, get a "new life". By the way, judging by the definition of the word "vocabulary", this can be the whole language as a whole, or the style of individual works.
The most common ways to replenish vocabulary vocabulary: word formation and coming from other languages. During word formation, new expressions are formed from previously known parts of words. For example, a “steamboat” is formed from “pairs” and “move”. New words from other languages are formed in the process of political, cultural or economic communication between countries. For example, shorts from English short are short.
The meaning of words in vocabulary
Definition of “What is vocabulary?” in Russian is directly related to the word. The word is the basic unit of vocabulary. It has its own properties: spelling rules - grammar, pronunciation rules - phonetics, rules of semantic use - semantics.
Each word has its own lexical meaning. This is a well-established set of properties that, as a result, correlating auditory and mental perceptions, forms the idea of a word. From such lexical units speech is formed, with the help of which we express our thoughts.
After getting acquainted with the concept and words, we can say that the definition of “What is vocabulary?” almost over. In fact, we know everything we need, but to complete the picture, we need to go a little deeper into the use of certain words.
Types of words
So, the definition of vocabulary stands firmly on the concept of words. The words themselves are divided into several types. Here we consider three main ones: synonyms, antonyms, homonyms.
Synonyms are related words. Usually they are exactly close, that is, their meaning is not identical. The same words, the meaning of which coincides completely, are called absolute synonyms. For example, a friend is a comrade, an enemy is an adversary.
Antonyms are words that are opposite in meaning. They should relate to one property of the subject, for example, color or size. For example, good is evil, high is low.
Homonyms are different in meaning, but identical in spelling and pronunciation. For example, a braid (hair) is a braid (a tool), a key (spring) is a key (from the door).
General use
A more global division of words is their division into widely used and narrowly targeted. Let's start with the words of common, common use. They are divided into archaisms, neologisms, phraseological units.
Archaisms are obsolete words emerging from the active vocabulary of vocabulary. They turn into a passive vocabulary. That is, their meaning and properties are known, but they are no longer used in the language. Archaisms, as a rule, have a synonym that is in active use. That is, such a "new version of yourself." For example, an eye - an eye, a verb - to speak, a mouth - a mouth, etc.
Neologisms are new words that have not yet taken root in the active vocabulary of vocabulary. And if archaisms are not used because they are out of date, then neologisms are still ahead. Such words are most often associated with the development of technology. For example, until recently, the word "astronaut" was considered a neologism, but now it has completely come into use. From the current ones, for example, it is “deadline” or “upgrade”. Yes, why go far, the word "copywriter" is only just beginning to depart from the meaning of neologism.
Phraseologisms are expressions that are established in historical use and are conditioned by the historical and cultural process. Despite the fact that they consist of several words, their common meaning is often not logically connected with the semantics of each individual word. This, for example, “play on the nerves”, “grab the straw”, “beat the bacilli”.
Limited use
Narrowly targeted words are subdivided into professionalisms, jargon and dialectisms.
Professionalism - words that relate to a particular profession. Such words most often denote any names of concepts, processes or tools. This, for example, "scalpel", "alibi", "feed".
Jargonisms are words that are used by a specific narrow group of people. They are formed under the influence of the conditions of existence of such a group. For example, greens - “money”, ancestors - “parents”, etc.
Dialectisms are words tied to a particular territory. That is, they are used by certain groups in the corresponding field. For example, “beetroot” - beetroot, “gut” - to speak.