1 Polysemy word meaning Types of meaning widening

1. Polysemy, word meaning. Types of meaning: widening, narrowing, amelioration, degradation of meaning.

When we study about the semantic structure of the word, it is necessary to make a brief survey of another semantic phenomenon which is closely connected with it. It is generally known that most words have number of meanings. A word having several meanings is called polysemantic and the ability of words to have more than one meaning is described by the term polysemy.

Most English words are polysemantic. The system of meanings of any polysemantic word develops gradually, mostly over the centuries as more and more new meanings are either added to old ones, or out some of them. So complicated process of polysemy development involve both the appearance of new meanings and the loss of old ones.

One of the most important drawbacks of polysemantic words is that there is sometimes a chance of misunderstanding when a word is used in a certain meaning but accepted by a listener or reader in another. That is why context is a powerful preventative against any misunderstanding of meanings. It leads us to the conclusion that context is a good and reliable key to the meaning of the word.

Results of semantic change can be generally observed in the changes of the denotational meaning of the word (extension and restriction of meaning) or in the alteration of its connotational component (amelioration and deterioration of meaning). Changes in the denotational meaning may result in the restriction of the types or range of referents denoted by the word.

Restriction of meaning is called specialization of meaning or narrowing of meaning. It is gradual process when a word passes from a general sphere to some special sphere of communication.

The meaning of a word can specialize when it remains in the general usage. It happens in the case of the conflict between two absolute synonyms when one of them must specialize in its meaning to remain in the language. F: the City –the business part of London, Oxford -university town in England, the Toweroriginally a fortress and palace, later a prison, now-a museum, room – originally a space, now-dining room, sleeping room.

Changes in the denotational meaning may also result in the application of the word to a wider variety of referents. This is commonly described as extension of meaning. If the word with the extended meaning passes from the specialized vocabulary into common use, we describe the result of the semantic change as the generalization of meaning or broadening of meaning.

F: the word borrowed into Middle English from old French where it was person and came from Latin persona “the mask used by an actor, one who plays a part, a character in a play”. The great theatre spaces in ancient Rome made it impossible for the spectators to see the actor’s face and facial changes. It was also difficult to hear his voice distinctly. That is why masks with a megaphonic effect were used (chairperson, policeperson, salesperson, workperson)

A change in the connotational meaning may be subdivided into pejoration or degradation of meaning and amelioration or elevation or improvement of the connotational component of meaning. Semantically speaking deterioration or pejoration means the second meaning develops a negative evaluative connotation which was absent in the first meaning.

Elevation or amelioration of meaning is a transfer of the meaning when it becomes better in the course of time, e. g. knight – originally meant a boy, then a young servant, then a military servant, then a noble man. Now it is a title of nobility given to outstanding people; marshal originally meant a horse man. , now it is the highest military rank.

Degradation or pejoration of meaning is a transfer of the meaning when it becomes worse in the course of time. It is usually connected with nouns denoting common people, e. g. villain-originally meant working on a villa, now it means a scoundrel.

Task I. Match the change of word meaning with their equivalents 1) specialization of meaning A. extension 2) pejoration of meaning B. widening 3) generalization of meaning C. narrowing 4) amelioration of meaning D. degradation E. elevation F. common use G. worse in the course of time H. better in the course of time I. for definite purpose

Task 2. Choose appropriate meanings of words silly, marshal, fond, knight, nice, villain from the list below and comment on their development. 1. foolish; loving, affectionate 2. foolish; fine, good 3. happy; foolish 4. manservant; noble, courageous man 5. manservant attending horses; the highest rank in the army 6. farm servant; vile person