lingresso

Lingresso is a theoretical concept used in linguistics to describe the transition of a linguistic item from passive knowledge to active production within the mental lexicon. The term, a neologism formed from elements meaning language and entry, is intended to highlight the moment an item gains productive access for speaking or writing, rather than merely being recognized passively.

In its proposed usage, lingresso denotes a dynamic threshold rather than a fixed state. A word or form may be encountered and understood without being produced; lingresso is achieved when the item can be retrieved and used fluently in appropriate contexts. Factors thought to influence lingresso include frequency of exposure, semantic richness, phonological distinctiveness, social relevance, and feedback from interaction. The concept thus integrates aspects of lexical representation, retrieval processes, and real-world use.

Lingresso is discussed mainly in the context of second-language acquisition, vocabulary learning, and models of lexical access. It offers a way to frame how learners move from comprehension to production and how newly learned items become part of active speech. Methodological discussions around lingresso emphasize the need for clear operational criteria and reliable measures of productive access, such as spontaneous production tasks, speeded retrieval, or production accuracy in controlled contexts.

Critics note that lingresso overlaps with established concepts like lexical entry and retrieval thresholds, and warn against rebranding existing ideas without precise definitions. Proponents argue it provides a useful heuristic for describing dynamic increments in lexical integration. See also: lexical entry, lexical access, mental lexicon, second-language acquisition, word learning.