What Is a Lexicon? Definition, Examples, and Extra

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For those who’ve dabbled on this planet of phrases, you’ve probably come throughout the time period “lexicon.” it refers to some sort of vocabulary or dictionary, however are all of them identical factor? What’s a lexicon, and the way are you aware in the event you’re utilizing one?

Take a dive into linguistic historical past with a information to lexicons, together with examples of a lexicon, a definition of a lexicon, and jobs that take care of lexicons (lexicographers). You’ll additionally learn the way understanding the idea of a lexicon can have an effect on the way in which you communicate your individual language—and how one can greatest strategy studying a brand new language.

Lexicon: definition and which means

The origin of the phrase “lexicon” traces again to the Greek lexikon, which means “listing of phrases” or “phrase e book.” The basis lex- refers to phrases (suppose “lexicographical,” referring to alphabetical order, or “dyslexia,” referring to an issue with phrases), and the unique use of lexicon was to explain a written listing or e book of phrases. 

Right now, we generally use the phrase “lexicon” to explain a figurative listing of phrases, comparable to “the English lexicon” (a listing of all phrases within the English language). It may additionally nonetheless describe a specialised dictionary for a language that features root phrases, certain morphemes, and archaic or out of date phrases that typical dictionaries could not embody.

“Understanding what a lexicon is helps us acknowledge that language is structured, dynamic, and culturally formed. It explains why meanings shift over time, why specialised fields develop their very own language, and why context issues when deciphering textual content or speech. This understanding is very essential in fields like training, linguistics, translation, and expertise.”

—Steve Johnson, Ph.D., director of lexicography for the Dictionary Media Group at IXL Studying

Related phrases to ‘lexicon’

So is “lexicon” simply one other phrase for “dictionary”? And what about “vocabulary”? These phrases are associated to “lexicon,” however there are nuanced variations between them and their usages.

• lexicon: a complete assortment of phrases utilized by a bunch or inhabitants
• dictionary: a e book containing a language’s phrases and their definitions
• jargon: a bunch of technical phrases utilized by a particular group
• vocabulary: a number of phrases identified and utilized by a bunch or inhabitants

If these definitions of “lexicon” and “vocabulary” look related, there’s a superb cause. “Lexicon” comes from the Greek language, whereas the origin of “vocabulary” is the Latin vocabularium (“listing of phrases”). They had been primarily the identical idea within the Classical interval, from the eighth century B.C.E to the fifth century C.E. 

“When individuals speak about vocabulary, they’re normally referring to the set of phrases that an individual is aware of or makes use of—one thing at a person degree. The lexicon, nonetheless, is broader than that; it refers back to the whole system of phrases and meanings utilized in a language, together with how phrases relate to 1 one other, how they alter, and the way they’re utilized in context.”

—Steve Johnson, Ph.D., director of lexicography for the Dictionary Media Group at IXL Studying

The phrase “dictionary” comes from the Latin dictionarius to explain a group of phrases and phrases, and like the unique Greek lexikon, refers to a bodily e book containing these phrases.  

“A dictionary is a software that’s used as a reference of data associated to chose phrases from the lexicon. This software contains definitions, utilization notes, examples, and data by phrase relationships. This software is utilized by customers to test their understanding of phrases and assists in customers increasing their very own vocabularies.”

—Steve Johnson, Ph.D., director of lexicography for the Dictionary Media Group at IXL Studying 

What’s a lexicographer?

A lexicographer is actually a dictionary author. These well-versed professionals develop into consultants of a number of lexicons to put in writing, compile, and edit dictionary entries for readers’ reference and use. They examine lexicography (the apply of writing a dictionary) in addition to lexicology (the examine of the lexicon) to develop into consultants of their language’s lists of phrases.

“A lexicographer is somebody who research, analyzes, and paperwork phrases and their meanings, usually by researching real-word language use. The flexibility to systematically analyze and doc phrases usually includes some coaching or experience in linguistics, language research, or associated fields, together with expertise in analyzing utilization knowledge, historic sources, and linguistic patterns. What in the end qualifies somebody as a lexicographer is not only information of phrases, however lively, systematic work in compiling, defining, or revising lexical sources like dictionaries and thesauruses.”

—Steve Johnson, Ph.D., director of lexicography for the Dictionary Media Group at IXL Studying

One of many first English lexicographers was Samuel Johnson, creator of A Dictionary of the English Language in 1755. Whereas this work was instrumental in standardizing the English lexicography, his definition of “lexicographer” grew to become well-known in its personal proper as a humorous assertion on his chosen career: “A author of dictionaries; a innocent drudge, that bullies himself in tracing the unique, and detailing the signification of phrases.”

Examples of lexicons

It’s straightforward to consider a lexicon because the listing of phrases in a language. In any case, English, Spanish, Japanese, Greek, and Latin would have their very own lexicons, every with a whole lot of hundreds of phrases distinctive to that language. 

However the time period “lexicon” isn’t restricted to a language. It could actually refer to an entire listing of phrases in a career, society, or specialised group—phrases that somebody would wish so as to add to their very own private lexicon earlier than they may take part in that group.

English lexicon

Like all languages, English has its personal lexicon. Derived from Celtic languages, Outdated English, French, Latin, German, and several other different European languages, the English lexicon probably contains essentially the most phrases of any language on this planet. 

Whereas the Oxford English Dictionary contains round 500,000 phrases and phrases on the whole utilization at the moment, linguists estimate that the whole English lexicon could have nearer to 1 million phrases. These further phrases embody out of date phrases (comparable to acersecomicke, an individual with uncut hair, or backfriend, an unseen enemy), phrases from regional dialects (comparable to bubbler, the Australian time period for “water fountain”), and certain morphemes (such because the prefix -un or the suffix -ing).

Medical lexicon

A medical lexicon contains specialised phrases and phrases used within the healthcare {industry}. Whereas not commonplace throughout languages, the medical lexicon is deeply rooted in Latin and Greek vocabularies, making it simpler for medical professionals to speak precisely.

For instance, English medical phrases like heart specialist (a doctor specializing in coronary heart and blood vessel circumstances) and metabolism (the method that converts meals into power within the physique) come from Greek roots. However though English is a Germanic language and Spanish and French are Romance languages, the medical lexicon appears to be like remarkably related throughout languages (cardiólogo and metabolismo in Spanish, cardiologue and métabolisme in French).

Pc lexicon

Within the mid-to-late twentieth century, the pc lexicon was primarily utilized by professionals in data expertise or pc programming. However with the prevalence of computer systems in our world at the moment, extra individuals than ever have integrated phrases from the pc lexicon into their on a regular basis speech. 

For instance, the phrases “algorithm,” “working system,” and “PDF” wouldn’t be uncommon to listen to in a dialog about somebody’s social media scrolling or a doc they’ve made for an occasion. However different phrases from the pc lexicon, together with “absolute path,” “terminal,” or “object-oriented programming,” are extra particular for pc programmers and professionals.

Slang lexicon

Does it appear to be teenagers communicate a completely completely different language? They don’t—they only use a special lexicon, referred to as a slang lexicon. Regardless of the technology, a part of the teenager expertise is to shift and alter conversational phrase utilization in a manner that each connects them to their friends and separates them from older individuals.

For those who grew up within the 70s, for instance, the slang phrases “groovy” and “far out” could have been a part of your lexicon (and possibly nonetheless are!). Nineties youngsters could also be extra used to “booyah” and “speak to the hand,” and Twenty first-century youngsters are all about “rizz” and “drip.”

How does a lexicon develop?

Lexicons don’t come ready-made with phrases, phrases, and morphemes. Smaller lexicons can develop comparatively shortly, particularly in slang or conversational contexts. However bigger lexicons, comparable to lexicons of whole languages, may take hundreds of years to kind—and so they’re evolving each day. So, how do lexicons add phrases and alter meanings all through their utilization?

Loanwords

Do you perceive the phrases mosquito, ballet, sushi, and parka? In that case (and also you don’t occur to be fluent in Spanish, French, Japanese, or Russian), you’ve adopted loanwords from different languages into your private lexicon. Round 80% of the English lexicon is made up of loanwords from different languages, a course of that started lengthy earlier than recorded historical past.

And language lexicons aren’t the one locations the place loanwords seem. For those who’ve ever used phrases like “Bail me out” or “You knocked it out of the park,” you’re utilizing loanwords and phrases from authorized and sports activities lexicons. 

Neologisms

Neologisms are new phrases that enter a lexicon, usually by way of informal utilization. When neologisms develop into frequent sufficient, lexicographers add them to a proper dictionary, reflecting their reputation in a contemporary lexicon.

Combining phrases by compounding them (comparable to “airplane” or “smartphone”) or mixing phrases into portmanteaus (comparable to “mansplain” or “brunch”) meet conversational wants in ways in which current phrases can’t. Moreover, abbreviations from texting or on-line tradition (comparable to “IRL” or “GOAT”) have made their manner off screens and into the English lexicon.

Suggestions for growing your lexicon

Regardless of how properly spoken you’re, there are at all times methods to develop your private lexicon! Whether or not you’re focused on studying a brand new language or studying extra concerning the language (or languages) you already communicate, you may carry new phrases and phrases into your on a regular basis dialog or skilled writing.

• Hearken to language studying podcasts to listen to fluent language utilization and uncover extra concerning the phrases in a language’s lexicon.
• Watch overseas language movies for steering on conversational utilization and to place phrases you already know into context.
• Discover a language alternate associate who can information you on loanwords in your goal language and offer you vocabulary ideas.
• Cease by a dictionary web site, like Dictionary.com, to take a look at the phrase of the day, or go the analog route with a paper “Phrase of the Day” calendar.
• Learn nonfiction books that target industries that curiosity you, and word phrases that you simply haven’t heard earlier than.

Key takeaways about lexicon utilization

Preserve these takeaways in thoughts as you progress ahead in growing your private lexicon and studying how phrases in our world work.

• A lexicon is a group of all phrases, phrases, and certain morphemes utilized by a inhabitants.
• The phrases “lexicon” and “vocabulary” every seek advice from a listing of phrases in Greek and Latin, respectively.
• “Lexicon” may seek advice from written books of phrases (like “dictionary”).
• Each language has a lexicon, however particular professions or teams may have their very own lexicons with frequent phrases and phrases.
• Lexicons develop and evolve on a regular basis by including loanwords and neologisms.
• You may improve your lexicon by studying a brand new language, exploring how languages are shaped, or studying industry-specific literature that introduces phrases which can be new to you.