Description

- Understand the limitation of attributing meaning to a “word”. - Understand the interrelationship between Lexicology and Lexicography and the limitations of using the methods of lexicology as a reliable reference of meaning. - Demonstrate awareness of similarities and differences among languages in terms of reaching general principles about meaning. - Explain the limitations of depending on the origin of words in understanding their current meaning. - Understand the structural and the cognitivist approaches to meaning. - Underline the interrelationship between the study of Lexicology and its impact on the process of translation. - Understand the limitations of reaching a definition of a “word” from different perspectives (Lexico-grammar, word class, phonology, structure, etc.). - Compare and contrast the similarities and differences between the two main methods of lexicology. - Compare and Contrast the Prescriptive and Descriptive Approaches to understanding meaning through translating texts of various genres. - Analyze and contrast the Cognitive and Structural approaches to understanding meaning. - Explain the various stages that led to the development of the field of Lexicology. - Critique various linguistic approaches to understanding the concept of meaning (Prescriptive vs Descriptive approaches, etymology, cognitivist approach, etc.). - Transfer the acquired theoretical knowledge into a practice one when approaching translation tasks. - Apply awareness of the limitations of formal sources of meaning – Thesaurus and dictionaries – on different types of discourse (translation) and through producing an Egyptian Colloquial/ English dictionary. - Evaluate the value of formal methods of meaning. - Produce a report on the various stages of compiling the dictionary, aimed at relating all the concepts addressed in the course to practice. - Practice presentation and critical thinking skills through giving presentations on concepts addressed during the course.

Objectives

• The course is designed to address the most significant concepts in the field of lexicology. An introductory course exposes students to some aspects of the essential history of lexicography and then moves on to investigate and interpret the different functions and parts of lexical items, and how they are formed. It tackles different theories of meaning as proposed by several important linguists such as Saussure, Chomsky, Firth and others. It is also geared towards equipping students with adequate knowledge and skills that may eventually help them compile a dictionary.