Designed as a textbook for language teachers and students of linguistics, this volume explores the system underlying three related areas of language: semantics, lexicon, and vocabulary. The first part is concerned with semantics and semantic analysis, including semantic features and feature analysis, semantic field analysis, core meanings and prototype theory, relational models, figurative language, semantic space across languages, and script semantics and conceptual structure. Part 2 consists of two chapters on lexical processes by which the vocabulary of a language may be increased: adding to the lexicon through borrowing and other processes, and word building. The third part is concerned with word classification, morphology and derivations, and inflectional morphology. Part 4 discusses vocabulary choices made in language use (discourse) and how that choice is influenced by societal factors. The final part looks more closely at language acquisition, language learning, and language teaching: strategies and processes language learners employ to acquire and use vocabulary, and specific methods for assisting learners in the acquisition process. Contains a substantial bibliography and an index. (MSE)