Introduction
1.T he Nature and Domain of English Lexicology
Definition : What is lexicology?
Lexicology is a branch of linguistics, inquiring into the origins and meanings of words(WNWD: Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language 1980) 2.W hat is the nature and scope of English Lexicology?
The nature of English Lexicology :English lexicology is a theoretically-oriented course. It is chiefly concerned with the basic theories of words in general and of English words in particular . In the meantime it is a practical course, for it has sth to do with words.
The scope of English Lexicology: English lexicology aims at investigating and studying the morphological structures of English and word equivalents, their semantic structures , relations, historical development,
formation and usages.
3.I ts Relation to other Disciplines（学科）What subjects is English Lexicology correlated with ? And to what extent? English lexicology is correlated with morphology, semantics, etymology(词源学), stylistics and lexicography（词典学）. In the discussion of the inflections of words and word-formation and how morphemes(词素) are combined to form words and words to form sentences, it has sth to do with morphology(形态学). Chinese is pictograph ,but English is not. We still can find some traces of pictograph in some English words such as the word “eye”, “bed”(Maybe the interpretations sound a bit forced(牵强附会). Words like agonize/agony, ache, atingle…these words begin with letter A which is considered to the tip of a pin.In the discussion of how a small vocabulary of the languages of early Germanic tribes has developed into a huge vocabulary of Modern
English and how words change their forms and meaning, it has sth to with etymology. In the discussion of polysemy(多义关系), homonymy(同形同音异义关系)，synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy(上下文关系) and semantic field of words, it is related with semantics. And in the discussion of the stylistic values of words , it is related with stylistics. And in the discussion of acquiring the knowledge and information of lexis in the aspect of language use, English lexicology is relevant to lexicography.
4. Methods of study(How does a student of English study English lexicology?)
Two approaches: We have two approaches to the study of English words, namely synchronic(共时) and diachronic（历时）. From a synchronic point of view , words can be studied at a point in time, regardless of whatever changes. From a diachronic point of view, we can consider words historically , looking into their origins and changes in forms
and meaning. These two ways are complementary. As for the course of English lexicology, there are quite some definitions, principles and explanations that govern the law of English words. We need to be clear about all this. Everything has its own special aspects. We should grasp them so that we can closely follow its law. So it is also the case with English lexicology.
5. Aims and Significance of the course
Why should a student of English study English lexicology?
A student of English should study English lexicology for the following reasons. First, it will help him develop his personal vocabulary consciously, increase their word power.(energy cycle, long/short-term memory, picture-assisted , from our dreams, right brain revolution ) Second, it will give him a deeper understanding of word-meaning and enable him to organize, classify and store words more effectively. Third, it will gradually raise his
awareness of meaning and usages of words, and enable him to use words more accurately and appropriately. Fourth, it will improve his skills of using reference books and raise his problem-solving ability and efficiency of individual study. And at last, it will improve his receptive and productive skills in language processing as well as language production.
*6.Supplement explanations & examples to the following terms :1).Morphology(morpheme, inflection of words, word-formation);
2).Semantics(polysemy, homonymy, synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy, semantic field)
3).Stylistics(phonology, graphology[Christmas tree])
** The English language is very rich in synonyms, but words are only roughly synonymous. It is difficult to find two words that have exactly the same meaning, carry the same implications, have the same stylistic value or can be used interchangeably in the
same collocation.
The reason for the scarcity of exact synonyms is that while many words are alike in their basic meanings –denotations(外延) , they have come through association to differ in their suggested meanings--connotations（内涵）. Words that denote much the same thing can connote quite different things or attitudes.
If you choose a word that has a connotation you are not aware of, you may mislead your readers. For example, if you disapproved of someone’s being slow to part with money, you might describe the person by such adjectives as stingy or mean. If you approved of such behavior , however , you could use such terms as thrifty /frugal or economical.
Examples to illustrate the slight differences among “economical, thrifty and frugal.”Economical : 意为在金钱、时间、精力等方面“审慎计划，尽量利用，避免浪费”，有“会操持，不浪费，使用得当”的意思。——The latest model of Chrystler is fairly
economical of fuel.克莱斯公司的这种最新车型相当省油。
——Many a linguist is experimenting with more efficient and economical methods of foreign language teaching. 许多语言学家正在试验效率更高、更经济的外语教学法。Frugal: 着重于“节俭，简朴，少花钱”，特别指在生活上，如饮食、衣物、生活方式等方面的节约。
——The frugal widow, with an income of merely 70 yuan a month, bought and consumed food carefully in order to feed a family of 4 people. 为了维持一个4口之家，那位月收入仅有70元的widow节俭度日，在购买和吃食物上都是精打细算。Thrifty: 是一个比较老但较常用的词，除了有frugal的意思之外，还有“以节省求兴家”之意。
——Successful farmers are always thrifty.成功的农民都是俭朴的。
You may have already noticed that a thin person would prefer to be described as slim
rather than skinny.
So , when there are synonyms, choose the word that expresses the meaning most exactly not only in terms of denotation but also in terms of connotation.