Chapter 1 The Basic Concepts of
Words and Vocabulary
In the beginning of the book on lexicology, the study of meanings and origins of words (WNWD), it is necessary to expound(详细阐述)and define some basic concepts concerning words and vocabulary. The word itself is an elusive(难以捉摸的) notion, which needs immediate consideration. The relationship between words and vocabulary, between sound and meaning, and between sound and form demands explanation as well. Language is not a fixed list of words but a growing and developing store, which is quite formidable(让人生畏的；难以对付的). However, the huge unstable(不稳定的) vocabulary of English can be classified into (分为)a few manageable(可掌控的) categories by different criteria(标准). This is also part of our concern in the first chapter.
1.1 The Definition of a Word
What is a word? This question has occupied the attention of scholars and experts for ages. The definition of the word has always been controversial(具有争议的). Although numerous(众多的) definitions have been suggested, none of them seem to be perfect. Experts and linguists still io not agree on all aspects of the word.
When we talk about a word, we tend to think in visual terms. In this way a word can be defined as a meaningful group of letters printed or written horizontally(横向地) across a of paper. As defined in terms of spoken language, a word is viewed as a sound or combination of sounds which are made voluntarily(自动地) with human vocal equipment(发音器官). According to semanticists(语义学家), a word is a unit of meaning. Grammarians, however, insist that a word be a free form that can function in a sentence, etc. . To sum up, the definition of a word will cover the following points:
(1) a minimal free form of a language;
(2) a sound unity;
(3) a unit of meaning;
(4) a form that can function alone in a sentence.
Therefore, we can say that ' a word is a minimal(最小的) free form of a language that has a given sound, meaning and syntactic(句法的)function'.
Words can be simple and complicated, yet all must comply with(遵照；照着...做) these criteria. Man and fine are simple, but they each have sound, meaning and syntactic function, and each can be used alone in a sentence. Naturally they are words. There are words which are morphologically(形态上讲) complex such as mis • for • tune and man • age • ment. Both are polysyllabic(多音节的) words and can be used as 'subject', 'object' and 'predictive'(表语). Though misfortune can be divided as mis- and fortune, the former cannot stand alone as a word. Similarly, management can be broken down as manage and -ment, the latter cannot be used freely, either-. Blackmail can be segmented into(被切分为) black and mail 9 and both are freestanding(可独立使用的), the meaning of each, however, is by no means the sum total of the combination of the two. Black is a color, opposite to 'white', and mail denotes(指称) 'something sent by post', yet when they are put together, the combined form means 'compel(强迫), compulsion(强制), to make payment or action for concealment(隐藏) of discreditable(有损声誉的) secrets, etc. '. Hence blackmail is a different word (COD).
