Code
Title
Status
Level of Study
Semester
Hours
Credits
Design Length
Mode of Assessment
ENGL539
English Semantics and Lexis
Compulsory
5
Semester 1, Year 1 (full-time and part-time)
42
3
1 Semester
100% Continuous Coursework
Role and purpose
This subject aims to help students explore issues including the sources of modern English
vocabulary, what constitutes a word and how English forms new words. It also helps student
explore the various aspects of word meaning, the meaning relations between words and the
contexts in which words are used. Lastly, this subject aims to provide students with the skills in
investigating the use of vocabulary employing corpora.
Learning outcomes
This subject has the following intended learning outcomes:
1. to be aware of the historical development of English vocabulary
2. to be able to describe and discuss words and their meaning
3. to be able to apply concepts in the analysis of words and their meaning in different
contexts
4. to be able to use corpora to investigate vocabulary use
5. to have the ability to learn autonomously and collaboratively
Indicative content









Introduction to Lexicology
Historical development of English Vocabulary
The Notion of Words
Word Formation
Word Meaning
Componential Analysis
Lexical Fields
Words in Use
Investigating Vocabulary Using Corpora
Forms of learning and teaching
Interactive lectures and seminars will be provided in addition to the use of WebCT for the
enhancement of learning and teaching.
18
Assessment
The main purposes of the assignments are to check student’s understanding of concepts and their
ability to apply these concepts to the analysis of words and word meaning in language use. There
will be two assignments (25% each) and one group project requiring students to analyse
vocabulary use through corpora (50%). For the group project, students will be assessed both
individually and as a group. The weighting of the assignments may be revised as appropriate.
Reading
Essential
Jackson H. & E. Z. Amvela (2000). Words, Meaning and Vocabulary: An Introduction to
Modern English Lexicology.
References
Aston, G. (2001) (ed.) Learning with Corpora, Houston, Tex: Athelstan
Ayto, J. (1999) Twentieth Century Words, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Carter, R. (1998) Vocabulary: applied linguistic perspectives, 2nd edition, London: Routledge.
Cowie A.P. & Mackin R (1975) Oxford Dictionary of Current Idiomatic English. Volume 1:
Verbs with Prepositions & Particles, London: Oxford University Press.
Cowie AP, Machin R. and McCaig IR (1983) Oxford Dictionary of Current Idiomatic English.
Volume 2: Phrase, clause & Sentence Idioms, London, Oxford University Press.
Crystal, D. and Davy, D. (1969) Investigating English Style, Longman.
Crystal, D. (1995) The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language, Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Hatch E & Brown C. (1995) Vocabulary, Semantics, and Language Education: Cambridge
University Press.
Howard J. (1988) Words and Their Meaning, New York and London: Longman.
Howard J. (2002) Grammar and Vocabulary: A resource book for students, London and New
York: Routledge.
Hudson, R. (1995) Word Meaning. New York and London: Rourledge.
Hurford J. R. & Heasley B. (1983). Semantics: a Coursebook, Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Leech, G.N. (1981) Semantics: The Study of Meaning (2nd edition), Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Lehrer, A. (1974) Semantic Fields and lexical Structure, North Holland Publishing Co.
Moon, R. (1998) Fixed Expressions and Idioms in English: A Corpus-Based Approach. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
Nida, E. (1975) Componential Analysis of Meaning, Mouton.
Palmer, F. R. (1981) Semantics (2nd edition), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Partington, A. (1998) Patterns and Meanings: using corpora for English language research and
teaching, Amsterdam; Philadelphia, Pa: J Benjamins Pub. 1998.
Roget, P.M. (1852) Roget’s Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases, Longman.
Sinclair, J. (1991) Corpus, Concordance, Collocation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
19
Summers, D. (1993) Language Activator, UK, Longman.
Thomas, J & M. Short (1996) Using Corpora for Language Research Longman and New York
Prepared by: May Fan
Date: 8 January 2005
20