In a recent paper (1977) Levenston and Blum suggested that lexical simplification operates according to universal principles, and that these derive from the individual's semantic competence in his mother tongue. This paper examines the validity of this suggestion by means of a comparative study of lexical simplification in three different linguistic contexts: (1) in the elicited written responses of second language learners; (2) in the usage of native speakers in their contacts with language learners; and (3) in translations from Hebrew into English. The strategies investigated include: (1) over-generalization (use of superordinate terms, approximation, synonymy, word-coinage, and converseness); (2) transfer; (3) circumlocution and paraphrase; (4) language switch; (5) appeal to authority; (6) change of topic; and (7) semantic avoidance. This taxonomy is compared with similar taxonomies suggested by previous investigators. Five of the strategies are discussed in detail as they appear in all three linguistic situations cited above. (Author/AM)