The Semantic Structure of the Word

 

Key words: semantic (lexical) ambiguity, semantic derivation, polysemy, homonymy, lexico-semantic variation, semantic processes: metaphor, metonymy, extension (generalization, broadening), restriction (specialization, narrowing) amelioration (elevation), perjoration (deterioration, degradation), epidigmatic ties, context.

Look up these terms in the glossary or in the sources indicated in the bibliography to the glossary. Compare the definitions given in English and in Russian.

 

 

Problems for Discussion

 

1. Semantic derivation: its causes, types and functions.

2. Semantic ambiguity: polysemy vs. homonymy. Criteria and linguistic frequency.

3. Semantic processes:

a) based on the change of denotation: metaphoric, metonymic transfers; extension (generalization, broadening), restriction (specialization, narrowing) of meaning;

b) based on the change of connotation: amelioration (elevation) and perjoration (deterioration) of meaning.

4. The semantic structure of a polysemantic word:

a) patterned polysemy of English words,

b) types of meanings within the semantic structure of a polysemantic word,

c) semantic relations within the semantic structure of a polysemantic word, and their types,

d) arrangement of meanings within the semantic structure of a polysemantic word: radial and chain structures.

5. Polysemy and context.

6. The semantic structures of correlative words.

 

 

Questions and Tasks

 

1. Find examples of semantic ambiguity within the English lexicon and define its role within the lexical system. Compare the number of polysemantic and monosemantic words within the English lexicon.

2. Study the meanings of the following English forms: charge, diamond, leaves, mark, plane, tract and define the type of semantic ambiguity. State your reasons for qualifying them as polysemantic or homonymous words.

3. Study the semantic processes that have resulted in the lexico-semantic variants of the following English words:

a) eye n, front n, pickle n, scorpion n, scout n, slight a, think v, civil a, crack v, cream n, crooked a, master n;

b) doctor n, cat n, caste n, cure v, curator n, evidence n, meal n;

c) meat n, noble a, pledge n, script n, refrain v;

d) scrivener n, spinster n, flaw n, silly a, lady n, queen n, pedagogue n, miss n;

e) nice a, serve v, penthouse n, minister n, pulpit n.

Find examples of various types of semantic derivation.

4. Analyze the semantic relationship between meanings of the words creation, moulding; rubber, iron; lamb, chicken and find other examples of patterned polysemy in English. Compare the patterns of regular polysemy in English to the patterns in Belarusian (Russian, French, German…).

5. Study the semantic structures of the following polysemantic nouns in English and define the types of their constituent meanings: hall, hand, mess, road, sea. Speak on the arrangement of meanings within the semantic structures of the given words.

Find your own examples of radial, chain and mixed-type semantic structures of polysemantic words in English.

6. Discuss the ways of solving semantic ambiguity and give contexts in which different meanings of the following English words become transparent: run v, charge v, chair n, must v, leg n, language n, gold n.

7. Compare the semantic structures of the English words given above to those of their Belarusian (Russian, French, German…) equivalents.

 

 

Recommended Reading

Obligatory

Арнольд, И.В. Лексикология современного английского языка / И.В. Арнольд; на англ. яз. – 3-е изд. – М.: Высш. шк., 1986. – C. 50–76.

Лексикология английского языка / Р.З. Гинзбург [и др.]; на англ. яз. – 2-е изд., испр. и доп. – М.: Высш. шк., 1979. – C. 29–38.

Смирницкий, А.И. Лексикология английского языка / А.И. Смирницкий. – М.: Изд-во лит. на иностр. яз., 1956. – С. 156–159.

Харитончик, З.А. Лексикология английского языка / З.А. Харитончик. – Минск: Вышэйш. шк., 1992. – С. 48–71.

 

Optional

Беляeвская, Е.Г. Семантика слова / Е.Г. Беляевская. – М.: Высш. шк., 1987. – С. 72–82.

Медникова, Э.М. Практикум по лексикологии английского языка / Э.М. Медникова; на англ. яз. – M.: Высш. шк., 1978. – С. 73–98.

Никитин, М.В. Курс лингвистической семантики / М.В. Никитин. – СПб.: Науч. центр проблем диалога, 1996.

Тексты по лексической семантике: Хрестоматия по лексикологии английского языка / сост. С.А. Игнатова [и др.]. – Минск: МГЛУ, 1998. – С. 83–84.

Allan, K. Linguistic Meaning / K. Allan. – London; N.Y.: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1986. – Vol. 1.

Quirk, R. The Use of English / R. Quirk // Английская лексикология в выдержках и извлечениях / C.С. Хидекель [и др.]. – Л.: Просвещение. Ленингр. oтд-ние, 1969. – C. 56–62.

Ullmann, S. Semantic Universals (Universals of Language) / S. Ullmann // Английская лексикология в выдержках и извлечениях / C.С. Хидекель [и др.]. – Л.: Просвещение. Ленингр. oтд-ние, 1969. – C. 35–43.

 

 

Homonymy

 

Key words: homonym, homophone, homograph, semantic divergence, sound convergence, homoform.

Look up these terms in the glossary or in the sources indicated in the bibliography to the glossary. Compare the definitions given in English and in Russian.

 

 

Problems for Discussion

 

1. Homonymy as a kind of linguistic asymmetry and its restricted role in the lexicon. Homonymy constraints.

2. Ways of homonym formation:

a) diverging meaning development;

b) converging sound development;

c) word formation processes.

3. Classification of homonyms, criteria and taxonomies:

a) identity of form: homophones, homographs, perfect homonyms;

b) degree of formal identity: full and partial homonymy; homoforms;

c) type of differing meanings: lexical, lexico-grammatical, grammatical, derivational.

4. Related homonymy in English.

5. Homonymy and context.

 

 

Questions and Tasks

 

1. Compare the semantic relations between meanings of the following English forms and say whether they are meanings of polysemantic or homonymous words: blind, ear, heavy, mount, pen, point.

2. Study the etymology of the words poker 1 ‘stiff metal rod with handle, for poking fire’; poker 2 ‘card-game for two or more persons’; mean 1 a (Of quantity) equally far from two extremes, equally removed from two opposite (usu. blameworthy) extremes; mean 2 a 1 (Of capacity, understanding, etc.) inferior, poor 2 Not imposing in appearance, shabby 3 Ignoble, small-minded; malicious, ill-tempered 4 Niggardly, not generous or liberal.

3. Say on what the following puns are based:

– Why is a girl like a hinge?

– Because she is something to adore.

 

 

Recommended Reading

 

Арнольд, И.В. Лексикология современного английского языка / И.В. Арнольд; на англ. яз. – 3-е изд. – М.: Высш. шк., 1986. – C. 182 – 194.

Лексикология английского языка / Р.З. Гинзбург [и др.]; на англ. яз. – 2-е изд., испр. и доп. – М.: Высш. шк., 1979. – C. 39 – 46.

Смирницкий, А.И. Лексикология английского языка / А.И. Смирницкий. – М.: Изд-во лит. на иностр. яз., 1956. – С. 159–173.

Харитончик, З.А. Лексикология английского языка / З.А. Харитончик. – Минск: Вышэйш. шк., 1992. – С. 72 – 88.

 

 

Topic 4

The Structure of the English word