Lextinció

Lextinció is a term used in linguistic discourse to denote the process by which a language loses lexical variety over time. It is discussed as either a theoretical mechanism for modeling lexical attrition or as an observed outcome in contexts of language endangerment, intense language contact, or sociopolitical change. The term blends Latin lexicon with extinction and is generally treated as a neologism rather than an established field concept.

Definitions vary: some scholars describe lextinció as the systematic reduction of the active lexicon, especially of less frequent, regionally marked, or specialized terms, often replaced by standardized vocabulary, loanwords, or calques. Others argue it is not a distinct process but part of broader lexical change driven by bilingualism, language shift, or media homogenization.

Key mechanisms include contact with a dominant language, education in a standardized variety, mass media and digital communication that favor a centralized lexicon, and socio-economic incentives that privilege common terms.

Consequences may include reduced lexical precision, gaps in domain-specific discourse, and challenges in expressing subtle distinctions. In practice, discussions of lextinció emphasize language documentation and revitalization efforts, including dictionaries, corpora, and policies supporting minority lexicon maintenance.

See also lexical attrition, language endangerment, language death, language revitalization, lexical borrowing, and standardization.