AJ4201 Lexicology

Faculty of Education
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/4/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Olga Dontcheva-Navrátilová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Radek Vogel, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Olga Dontcheva-Navrátilová, Ph.D.
Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jana Popelková
Supplier department: Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Timetable of Seminar Groups
AJ4201/01: Mon 14:00–15:50 učebna 10, R. Vogel
AJ4201/02: Mon 18:00–19:50 učebna 54, R. Vogel
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 8 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
understand the main lexikological and semantic concepts and the relations beetween them;
analyse the structure of words and multi-word lexemes and to explain word-formation processes;
know the types and components of meaning within a word/lexeme and the semantic relations between units of lexis;
characterise grammatical properties of individual word classes and possible transitions between them;
The students will also
be introduced to the stratification of the contemporary English word stock;
learn to distinguish between dialects and registers;
be acquainted with the origins and development of the English vocabulary and influences of other languages on it;
enhance their awareness of the functions and aspects of English, thus developing skills, such as analytic thinking, creativity in designing lessons and teaching materials, and adapting learning content for practical needs, which are qualities essential for teaching profession.
Learning outcomes
The student:
• is able to analyse the structure of a word and to identify and explain word-formation processes in English;
• can explain denotative and associative meanings of words and multi-word naming units;
• is able to justify his/her conclusions made in analysis of semantic relations between lexical units in a context;
• is able to find formal and functional differences between individual word classes;
• can describe and analyse the origin and development of the English word-stock;
• has raised awareness of the similarities and differences between English and Czech, which enables them to identify potentially problematic areas for their future learners.
Syllabus
  • 1. Lexicology as a linguistic discipline. Functional approach to linguistic analysis. Lexicography. Word stock, lexeme, word. Naming and communication.
  • 2. Lexical units. Semiotics – linguistic sign, its types and properties. Opaque and motivated naming units (derivations and compounds).
  • 3. Semantics – types and components of meaning. Semantic nucleus and semantic environment, connotation. Change of meaning. Stylistic differentiation of lexis.
  • 4. Diachronic and synchronic approach to the study of lexis. Development of English lexis. The main word-formation processes: derivation, compounding, conversion, semantic neologism.
  • 5. Minor word-formation processes: abbreviation, back-formation, blending, reduplication.
  • 6. Classification of lexis. Word classes. Open and closed classes.
  • 7. Properties of the principal word classes.
  • 8. Semantic relations between lexical units: homonymy, polysemy, synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy, paronymy.
  • 9. Figures of speech (metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche, hyperbole, euphemism, dysphemism, litotes, simile, etc.).
  • 10. Lexical cohesion and coherence. Lexical chains.
  • 11. Stratification of English word stock. Standard British and American English. National varieties. Regional and social dialects. Pidgin and creole. Sociolects.
  • 12. Foreign influences on English word stock. Lexical borrowings.
Literature
    required literature
  • JACKSON, Howard and Etienne ZÉ AMVELA. Words, meaning and vocabulary : an introduction to modern English lexicology. 2nd ed. New York: Continuum, 2007, xii, 248. ISBN 9780826490186. info
  • VOGEL, Radek. Basics of Lexicology. 1. dotisk 2. vydání. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2020, 97 pp. ISBN 978-80-210-7154-4. info
    recommended literature
  • HLADKÝ, Josef and Milan RŮŽIČKA. A functional onomatology of English. 4. opr. vyd. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 1998, 93 s. ISBN 8021018879. info
  • PALMER, F. R. Semantics. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1981, vi, 221. ISBN 0521283760. info
  • ADAMS, Valerie. An introduction to modern English word-formation. London: Longman, 1973, viii, 230. ISBN 0582521947. info
Teaching methods
Weekly double-period sessions. Theoretical introduction provided by the teacher and autonomous study of recommended sources will be combined with students´ presentations of selected topics. The theory will be applied and tested on practically and analytically focused tasks in corresponding practice sheets. Students are expected to observe employment of lexically-focused activities in lessons observed in the teaching practice and incorporate the findings in seminar presentations.
Assessment methods
Compulsory presence (min. 80%) and participation in seminars. Students should make a presentation, fulfil all homework tasks, pass two tests (combined pass mark 70%) and hand in all written assignments. Exam - written part (tests) and oral part.
Language of instruction
English
Study support
https://moodlinka.ics.muni.cz/course/view.php?id=3717
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
http://moodlinka.ics.muni.cz/course/view.php?id=3717
FOR AN ONLINE SEMESTER: Students are requested to secure good internet connection in order to participate in online lessons as indicated in the schedule. Students must attend these meetings with both the sound and camera on.

The course can be completed if the student is spending the semester abroad as part of the Erasmus Programme. Attendance is not required, but working with the Moodlinka course is obligatory. Both tests must be taken in the exam period.


USE OF AI: In the course, the use of AI is permitted for learning but not for cheating. It is acceptable to use AI for brainstorming ideas, basic proofreading, and suggestions for improvement. It is unacceptable to have a text generated, translated or reformulated. Remember to acknowledge all innovative ideas that are not yours. For generated ideas, use in-text citations. At the end of each assignment, state how you worked/did not work with AI. When in doubt, consult your teacher.

The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/autumn2024/AJ4201