Language levels

Language level 1: Lexis and semantics

Lexis- A term that we use in language to refer to vocabulary. A way we can do this is by grouping words together based upon the roles and functions in which they persue in both written and spoken mode of language. These groups are known as word classes.

Word class- A group of words that fulfill the same kind of role and function in speech and writing.

How to identify a word class:

Look at a text, describe its function in the sentence as a whole. The sun-divide the words into categories. There are four main word classes; Nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. 

Adverbs act in a similar manner to adjectives, but they modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. For example;

He ran quickly (adverb modifying the veryb 'ran'.

It was a very slow game. (adverb modifying the adjective 'slow'.)

All of the above are known as lexical word classes. 

In contrast, smaller groups of words are known as grammatical word classes. These provde cohesion between other words. The four types are:

• Pronoun- substitues for a noun, often reffering back or forewards to them (e.g, 'he', 'she', 'they', 'it'.)
• Determiner- Adds detail or clarity to nouns (e.g, 'the', 'my', 'some'.)
• Preposition- Provides connections between words often showing a sense of time or place (e.g, 'in', 'on', 'between', 'during'.)
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