Understanding Lexical Structure and Text Types in Linguistics
UNIT 6: The Structure of the Lexical Word
Lexical Components
- Lexeme (Radical or Root): Contains the basic meaning of the word.
- Markers (Derivative Affixes): Modify the basic meaning of the lexeme.
- Grammatical Morpheme: Occurs in grammatical categories with formal variation.
Morphology and Lexicology
Morphology is the branch of linguistics that deals with grammatical morphemes and verb/noun inflections.
Lexicology studies the combination of lexemes and derivative morphemes.
Suffixation
Suffixation is the formation of a derived word by adding a suffix.
- Most suffixes are tonic and influence word stress.
- A word can be the result of multiple suffixations.
- Suffixation can change the grammatical category of the derived word.
- Suffixation occurs between the root and the grammatical morpheme.
Types of Suffixes
- Lexical Suffixes: Contribute significantly to the derived meaning and determine the grammatical category.
- Evaluative Suffixes: Add nuance to the meaning without changing the nominal category.
Lexical Suffixation
- Nominalizing Suffixes: Indicate professions, trees, collectives, containers, places of trade, ideologies, actions, abstract nouns, etc.
- Adjectivizing Suffixes: Express relation, belonging, possession, tendency, order, ability, etc.
- Verbal Suffixes: Express actions, processes, or tendencies.
- Adverbializing Suffix: -ment: Expresses point of view, time, type, quantity, etc.
Historical Perspective of Suffixes
- Heritage Suffixes: Part of Catalan’s resources for forming new words; productive and actively used.
- Cult Suffixes: Usually of Latin origin, appear fossilized in Catalan words and are not productive.
Evaluative Suffixation
- Augmentative Suffixes: Indicate large size and sometimes a derogatory connotation.
- Diminutive Suffixes: Indicate small size and sometimes an emotional evaluation.
- Superlative Suffixes: Apply only to adjectives in the superlative degree.
UNIT 8: Text Types
What is a Text?
A text is a verbal manifestation with complete meaning that occurs in a communication process. They are diverse and can be classified based on different criteria.
Classification by Communication Channel
- Oral Texts: Transmitted through the air, directly or via technology; perceived aurally.
- Written Texts: Transmitted on paper or magnetic media; written by the sender and read by the receiver.
- Informal Texts: Adhere to colloquial language rules.
- Formal Texts: Follow conventions of standard literary language and specific fields.
Classification by Scope of Use
- Personal Field: Family and friends; informal and often oral.
- Workplace Field: Business and social; often written and formal.
- Academic Field: Formal; can be oral or written.
- Journalistic Field: Oral and written; appear in media.
- Creative Field: Oral and written; literary and film.
Classification by Author’s Intention
Conversational Text
An exchange of information between two or more partners. Grammatically, it uses predominantly short sentences, personal pronouns, interrogatives, weak adverbs, and unfinished constructions.
Narrative Text
Presents a sequence of events ordered in time. Characterized by plot, narrator, characters, and setting. Grammatically, it uses various tenses, adverbs, and temporal connectors.
Descriptive Text
Provides a detailed explanation of an object, person, place, or environment. Key elements include the object described, point of view (objective or subjective), and internal order (general to particular or vice versa).
Instructive Text
Indicates actions the receiver must take to achieve a goal. Can be oral or written, using commands, obligations, prohibitions, or advice. Content is logically organized. Grammatically, it uses exhortations, impersonal forms, imperative mood, and numbered steps.
Predictive Text
Expresses a future forecast. Grammatically, it uses future tenses, adverbs of time, probability periphrasis, and conditional sentences.