Lecture No 1 Word as a basic language unit. Different approaches to the definition of the word. Word meaning as a linguistic phenomenon

Lecture No 1

Word as a basic language unit. Different approaches to the definition of the word. Word meaning as a linguistic phenomenon.

Problems to be discussed:

1. 
   The notion of semantics as a science. Interrelation of word-formation and Semantics.
   
2. 
   Word as a basic language unit.
   
3. 
   Different approaches to the definition of the word.
   
4. 
   Word meaning as a linguistic phenomenon
   

Semantics is a branch of Linguistics which studies the meaning of lexical units both in the language system and in speech acts.

1. 
   The notion of Semantics as a science. Interrelationship of word-formation and semantics
   

Semantics and Word-formation is a new theoretical course the meaning of which undergoes throughout its history and usage. The objective of this science is to study the laws that influence the changes of the word meaning.

There are two terms used in Linguistics for this science: semasiology and semantics. In Russian Linguistics the preference is given to the term Semasiology, as the term Semantics is often used as a synonym of the term meaning which can be used in various areas of other sciences too. We are used to the term Semasiology as the branch of Linguistics which studies the meaning of lexical units.

The main objects of semasiological study are as follows: semantic development of words; its causes and classification; relevant distinctive features and types of lexical meaning; polysemy and semantic structure of words; semantic grouping and connections in the vocabulary system, i.e. synonyms, antonyms, terminological systems, etc.

The cause does not offer to cover all these wide fields. Attention will be centered upon semantic word structure and semantic analysis.

2.