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THE CONCEPTS OF LEXICOGRAPHY, LEXICOLOGY, AND SEMASIOLOGY IN
LINGUISTICS AND THEIR INTERRELATION ASPECTS
Jumaboyeva Dildora Munis kizi
Urgench Ranch Technology University
ABSTRACT:
This article examines the concepts of lexicography, lexicology, and semasiology
in linguistics, focusing on their definitions, scope, and mutual interconnections. Lexicography is
considered as the science and practice of compiling, editing, and analyzing dictionaries, while
lexicology deals with the systematic study of the vocabulary of a language, including its origin,
structure, and meaning. Semasiology, in turn, is explored as the branch of linguistics that studies
the meaning of words and lexical units. The research highlights the theoretical and practical
intersections of these disciplines, demonstrating how they complement each other in the study
and organization of language. The article also addresses the role of modern technologies in
integrating these fields for more effective linguistic analysis and dictionary compilation.
Keywords:
lexicography, lexicology, semasiology, linguistics, meaning, vocabulary, dictionary
compilation, language analysis.
INTRODUCTION
The study of language at the lexical level has always held a central place in linguistic research,
as vocabulary constitutes the fundamental building block of communication. Within this
framework, lexicography, lexicology, and semasiology represent three closely related yet distinct
branches of linguistics, each contributing to the comprehensive understanding of words and their
meanings. Lexicography focuses on the methodology and practice of compiling and designing
dictionaries, providing structured and accessible repositories of lexical data. Lexicology
investigates the nature, structure, and development of a language’s vocabulary, exploring
phenomena such as word formation, semantic change, and lexical borrowing. Semasiology, as a
subfield of semantics, is concerned with the meaning of words and phrases, tracing how meaning
is constructed, transformed, and perceived within a linguistic system. These disciplines are
interdependent: lexicography relies on the theoretical foundations of lexicology and semasiology,
while lexicology benefits from the empirical data gathered through lexicographic work.
Semasiology, in turn, offers critical insights into meaning that are essential for both lexical
analysis and dictionary compilation. In the modern era, the interaction among these fields has
been further strengthened by the application of computational linguistics and corpus-based
methodologies, enabling more accurate, comprehensive, and user-oriented lexical resources.
Understanding the interrelation between lexicography, lexicology, and semasiology is therefore
essential for both theoretical linguists and applied language researchers, as it provides a
framework for more effective language description, preservation, and pedagogy.
MAIN BODY
1. Lexicography: definition, scope, and functions
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Lexicography is both a theoretical and practical branch of linguistics that deals with the
compilation, editing, and analysis of dictionaries. Theoretical lexicography, also known as
metalexicography, studies the principles, methods, and typology of dictionary creation, while
practical lexicography focuses on the actual process of collecting, organizing, and presenting
lexical data. In this regard, lexicography not only serves as a reference tool for language users
but also as a research resource for linguists. Modern lexicographic work increasingly employs
corpus-based approaches, enabling dictionary compilers to rely on authentic language data for
improved accuracy in definitions, examples, and usage notes.
2. Lexicology: nature and research focus
Lexicology is the branch of linguistics concerned with the study of a language’s vocabulary,
including the origin, structure, and semantic properties of words. It investigates morphological
patterns, etymology, lexical fields, synonymy, antonymy, and polysemy, among other
phenomena. Lexicology plays a crucial role in understanding how words enter the language (via
borrowing, derivation, compounding, etc.), how they evolve in form and meaning, and how they
are organized into systems. Its theoretical findings often inform lexicographic practice by
providing the conceptual framework for categorizing and defining lexical units.
3. Semasiology: meaning as the core of lexical study
Semasiology, a branch of semantics, is primarily concerned with the study of meaning in
linguistic signs. It examines the relationships between words and the concepts they denote, as
well as the mechanisms of meaning change such as metaphor, metonymy, generalization, and
specialization. Semasiology’s findings are critical for lexicographers and lexicologists alike, as
accurate meaning description requires an understanding of how context, cultural background,
and pragmatic factors shape lexical interpretation. For example, a single lexical item may acquire
multiple senses depending on the communicative situation, and semasiology provides the tools to
account for such variation.
4. Interrelation of lexicography, lexicology, and semasiology
While each of these disciplines has its own objectives and methods, their interaction is
fundamental to effective linguistic research. Lexicography depends on lexicological
classifications to determine word entries, and on semasiological analysis to ensure accurate and
comprehensive definitions. Conversely, lexicological studies benefit from the systematic data
collected through lexicographic projects, and semasiology relies on both lexicological theory and
lexicographic evidence to refine its understanding of meaning. This interrelation creates a
feedback loop: theory informs practice, and practice provides empirical data for theoretical
refinement.
5. The role of modern technology
In recent decades, technological advances have transformed the way these three fields operate
and collaborate. Digital corpora, natural language processing (NLP) tools, and artificial
intelligence (AI) have made it possible to process vast amounts of textual data, enabling more
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precise lexical analysis and dictionary compilation. For instance, automated frequency analysis
can help lexicographers prioritize entries, while semantic network modeling assists
semasiologists in visualizing relationships between meanings. This integration of technology has
enhanced the efficiency, accessibility, and user-friendliness of linguistic resources, fostering a
more dynamic relationship between lexicography, lexicology, and semasiology
CONCLUSION
The interconnected nature of lexicography, lexicology, and semasiology highlights their
indispensable roles in the study and organization of language. Lexicography provides practical
tools for recording and presenting lexical data, lexicology offers theoretical frameworks for
analyzing vocabulary structure and development, and semasiology deepens the understanding of
meaning and its transformation over time. Together, these disciplines form a cohesive system in
which theory and practice reinforce each other. In the contemporary linguistic landscape, their
integration has become even more significant due to advances in digital technology, corpus
linguistics, and artificial intelligence. These innovations have not only expanded the scope of
research but also improved the accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility of lexical resources. By
leveraging modern tools while maintaining a strong theoretical foundation, scholars can create
more comprehensive, user-centered, and contextually rich dictionaries and lexical studies.
Ultimately, the synergy between lexicography, lexicology, and semasiology contributes to
preserving linguistic heritage, enhancing language teaching, and supporting cross-cultural
communication. As languages continue to evolve, the sustained collaboration among these fields
will remain crucial for documenting, analyzing, and understanding the ever-changing lexicon of
human communication.
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