Lexis - A-Level Language Terms

The process of creating new words by using affixes. Also known as

affixation, this is a very common way of creating new words.

• sociolect

• derivation

• jargon

• register

The study of the origins of words. It is an interesting area of study as it can reveal aspects of cultural and social ideology that people may not have explored. For example, the original meaning of the word ‘villain’ simply meant someone who was low born, revealing how attitudes towards the poor and class have affected the way the word is used today.

• idiolect

• neologism

• slang

• etymology

Refers to a newly created or coined word or expression.

• idiolect

• neologism

• sociolect

• derivation

The language used by a specific social group that helps distinguish that group from another.

• idiolect

• register

• sociolect

• etymology

The distinctive language used by a specific individual.

• sociolect

• register

• neologism

• idiolect

Words and phrases associated with informal speech.

• slang

• register

• jargon

• derivation

Typically refers to the language used by different occupational groups that serves to exclude members outside of that group. For example, legal ________ is used to make it difficult for those outside of the legal profession to understand it easily.

• slang

• register

• jargon

• neologism

Refers to the way language is defined according to its use. For

example, texts produced for highly formal occasions will adopt a formal _________ in order to match the communicative situation.

• jargon

• register

• idiolect

• slang