Lexical Distinction

Lexis or vocabulary as described in The History of Book and Print in New Zealand;
‘is the other level besides accent at which New Zealand English is distinctive, in both words and meanings.’
This relates to acquired individual meanings produced in a New Zealand local which are general English. New Zealand words and meanings may or may not have specific reference to New Zealand itself ('mānuka' versus 'mocker' = 'clothes', 'gear'). Also, many are shared with Australian English ('mob' (of sheep etc.), 'mullock'), due to common colonial experience of the two countries.

lexical features are occasional, sporadic, and very much a product of subject and purpose. In terms of print Lexical distinctions can be seen in specifically as New Zealand themes, references to particular social institutions, practices, politics and so on. 'The operation within the narrow constraints of the English Private press tradition, particularly in the 1800’s lead to a preoccupation with printing, typographic layout, and the setting of local literature in foreign types; with little interest for the use or design of local types.'[1] However, developments of Design In New Zealand started to respond to its function and adapted to its local needs rather than opting to maintain a canon of the ‘Motherland’. This developmentis a strong lexical feature and can be seen in The Four square Newspapers distinctively bright hand drawn type and stock images and striking composition, unique to advertisement newspapers of the 1960’s and 70’s.


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References:
[1] Valentine Jonty PRINTING TYPES: New Zealand Type Design Since 1870 (2009) pp.8