paralexicon

English

Etymology

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pæɹəˈlɛksɪkɒn/
  • Hyphenation: para‧lex‧i‧con

Noun

paralexicon (plural paralexica)

  1. A parallel set of vocabulary within a language, e.g. a formal register, ritual language or secret cant, code switching
    • A frequent function of the paralexicon is secrecy. […] Sometimes the paralexicon is acquired during childhood as a first language, Ma'a [a paralexicon of Mbugu] for example. In many cases it is acquired later, such as registers of respect, initiation languages and languages created by adolescents.
      Norval Smith & Tonjes Veenstra (2001) Creolization and Contact, p. 121–122.

Derived terms

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