lexigram: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical
Quick answer
What does “lexigram” mean?
A symbol or sign used to represent a word or concept in non-verbal communication systems.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A symbol or sign used to represent a word or concept in non-verbal communication systems.
A visual symbol, often part of a constructed system, used by animals (notably primates) or humans in communication research to represent a lexical item without using phonetic transcription.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical; the term is technical and not subject to regional variation in meaning.
Connotations
Connotes scientific research into language acquisition and non-verbal communication.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general usage; slightly more frequent in American academic publishing due to larger volume of primate cognition research.
Grammar
How to Use “lexigram” in a Sentence
The researcher taught [RECIPIENT] to use [NUMBER] lexigrams.The chimp pointed to [LEXIGRAM].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lexigram” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Researchers attempted to lexigram the basic requests.
- The ape appeared to lexigram for food.
American English
- The study aimed to see if the gorilla could lexigram novel combinations.
- She trained the parrot to lexigram 'water'.
adverb
British English
- The chimp communicated lexigram-mediated.
- (Note: Adverbial use is highly contrived and rare)
American English
- The request was made lexigram-style.
- (Note: Adverbial use is highly contrived and rare)
adjective
British English
- The lexigram vocabulary was limited to 50 signs.
- They developed a new lexigram keyboard interface.
American English
- The lexigram system produced surprising results.
- A lexigram-based communication device was installed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in papers on comparative psychology, cognitive science, and augmentative communication.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used precisely to denote the specific symbols in systems like Yerkish or other constructed lexigram keyboards for animal language studies.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lexigram”
- Using 'lexigram' to mean any hieroglyph or pictogram.
- Pronouncing it with a hard 'g' as in 'grammar'. The 'g' is soft as in 'diagram'.
- Misspelling as 'lexigrapm' or 'lexigrim'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While both are symbols for concepts, lexigrams are part of a formal, research-based system with defined meanings, whereas emojis are culturally fluid and used in informal human digital communication.
Yes, but primarily in research contexts or in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices for individuals with speech impairments, where the principle is similar.
The 'Yerkish' language, developed by Duane Rumbaugh for the LANA project in the 1970s, is one of the earliest and most famous lexigram systems used in ape language research.
It is pronounced LEK-si-gram, with the stress on the first syllable. The 'x' makes a /ks/ sound, and the 'g' is soft as in 'graph'.
A symbol or sign used to represent a word or concept in non-verbal communication systems.
Lexigram is usually technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A lexigram is worth a thousand grunts. (humorous, research context)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: LEXI (from 'lexicon' meaning words) + GRAM (as in 'diagram' or symbol). A word-symbol.
Conceptual Metaphor
TOKENS ARE WORDS (Lexigrams are treated as physical tokens exchanged for conceptual meanings).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'lexigram' most specifically used?