Lexical Affectivity

(A study in the semantic movement of word in comparative criticism)

Abstract

This study explores the concept of "lexical affectivity" as a dynamic semantic movement that words undergo within poetic and creative contexts. It argues that words are not static in their dictionary definitions but experience semantic transformations as they interact with the recipient, who reinterprets them through personal and cultural lenses. The research adopts a descriptive analytical methodology within the framework of comparative criticism, drawing on modern linguistic and psychoanalytic theories.

The paper highlights the role of rhetorical devices such as metaphor and metonymy in reshaping the meanings of words. These mechanisms push language beyond literal interpretations into deeper, emotionally charged, and socially infused meanings. The recipient's role becomes central in producing new layers of meaning, influenced by psychological, cultural, and sociological factors, which in turn impact the evolution of the lexicon itself.

The study demonstrates that poetic language, through its transgressive nature, enriches the Arabic lexicon and makes it more dynamic and affective. Language is thus portrayed not as a fixed system but as a fluid, ever-evolving entity. The findings suggest that most words in the Arabic lexicon have lost their original meanings due to poetic and creative usages that prioritize affective expression over fixed semantics.

Ultimately, the research concludes that linguistic creativity inherently involves the destruction of original meanings to make room for emotionally resonant alternatives. The study recommends further critical engagement with live language usage in literary texts to uncover the hidden patterns that continually reshape the structure and vitality of the Arabic lexicon.