Lexicalización

Lexicalización refers to the process by which a linguistic expression, typically a phrase or a compound, becomes a single lexical unit, a word. This means that the meaning of the expression is no longer transparently derivable from its individual components, but is instead understood as a whole. For example, the English phrase "red tape" has become lexicalized; its meaning of excessive bureaucracy is not immediately obvious from the words "red" and "tape."

This process can occur over time through frequent use, leading to the unit being treated as a semantic whole rather than a combination of separate meanings. Lexicalization can involve various linguistic units, including words, phrases, and even grammatical structures. The resulting lexicalized unit often has a distinct meaning, a specific grammatical behavior, or both, that differs from its constituent parts.

Examples of lexicalization can be found across languages and include idioms like "kick the bucket," compound words like "blackboard," and even fixed expressions. The study of lexicalization is important in linguistics as it sheds light on how languages evolve, how new meanings are created, and how the lexicon of a language is structured. It is a fundamental mechanism in the ongoing development and adaptation of human language.