SYNONYMS Definition of Synonymy Criteria

SYNONYMS

§ Definition of Synonymy § Criteria of Synonymy § Types of Synonyms § Types of Connotations § Sources of Synonymy

Synonyms § words of the same language § belong to the same part of speech § possess one or more identical or nearly identical denotational meanings § interchangeable, at least in some contexts

Synonyms § differ in morphemic shape § differ in phonemic shape § differ in shades of meaning, connotations § differ in style, idiomatic use

Denotative Connota- style Idiomatic meaning tive usage A belief hope having neutral Lose +desire that hope, pin something some event one’s would in hope on happen mind which smth is May be of Expecta literary good or of likely to -tion evil happen pleasurable Anticipa expectation -tion of smth good

Criteria of Synonymy § conceptual criterion § the criterion of interchangeability § semantic criterion

Conceptual Criterion § convey the same concept § differ in shades of meaning § differ in stylistic characteristics BUT: Washington is the capital of the USA. (referent is the same, but there’s no linguistic relationship of synonymity)

Semantic Criterion § have the same denotation § differ in connotations

Semantic Criterion denotation To stare To glare To look To gaze connotations Steadily, lastingly In surprise, curiosity In anger, rage, fury To look Steadily, lastingly In tenderness, admiration, wonder To To look glance Briefly, in passing To look

The Criterion of Interchangeability § interchangeable at least in some contexts without any considerable alteration in denotational meaning

The Criterion of Interchangeability e. g. pretty, good-looking, handsome, beautiful girl e. g. He glared at her (angrily) He glazed at her (with admiration or interest) He glanced at her (briefly)

Classification of Synonyms (by V. V. Vinogradov) § absolute – words coinciding in all their shades of meaning and in all their stylistic characteristics

Classification of Synonyms (by V. V. Vinogradov) § ideographic (denotational)– words conveying the same concept but differing in shades of meaning § e. g. to look – to see – to gaze – to glare

Classification of Synonyms (by V. V. Vinogradov) §stylistic – words differing in stylistic characteristics §e. g. father – Dad - Daddy

Types of Connotations § connotation of degree or intensity e. g. to like – to admire – to love – to adore – to worship § connotation of duration e. g. to shudder (brief) – to shiver (lasting)

Types of Connotations § emotive connotations e. g. to tremble – to shiver – to shudder (emotion of fear, horror, disgust) – to shake § evaluative connotation – attitude towards the referent, labeling it as good or bad e. g. well-known – famous - notorious (negative connotation) - celebrated

Types of Connotations § causative connotation e. g. to blush from modesty, shame or embarrassment to redden from anger or indignation § connotation of manner e. g. to stroll – to stride – to trot – to pace to swagger – to stumble

Types of Connotations § connotation of attendant circumstances e. g. to peep at smb/smth through a hole, a crack or opening, from a half-closed door, a curtain to peer at smb/smth in darkness, through the fog, from a great distance, through dimmed glasses or windows

Types of Connotations § stylistic connotation e. g. (girl) girlie (colloquial), lass, colloquial lassie (dialect), birdie, dialect jane, fluff, skirt (slang), maiden slang (poetic), damsel (archaic) poetic archaic

Dominant Synonym § high frequency of usage § broad combinability § broad general meaning § lack of connotations e. g. to look – to glare – to gaze to make – to produce – to create – to fabricate - to manufacture

Hyponymy § generic term –name for the notion of the genus as distinguished from the name of species – hyponyms e. g. animal generic term - dog – wolf – mouse names of the species included into generic term

Sources of Synonyms Native English French words - Greco-Latin words - neutral literary words learned To ask To question To interrogate belly stomach abdomen To gather To assemble To collect To end To finish To complete teaching guidance instruction

Synonymic Differentiation § the word survived with a meaning more or less removed from the original one and became an obsolete or archaic word § obsolete and modern words exist in the language but the obsolete word has a very specific meaning e. g. girl – OE wench

Sources of Synonyms § synonymic attraction - the referent which is very popular attracts a large number of synonyms e. g. § variants and dialects of English e. g. lass (Scottish) - girl (English) long-distance call (USA) – trunk call (British)

Sources of Synonyms § word-building e. g. laboratory – shortening cheery - cheerful affixation anxiety – anxiousness § phrasal verbs and set expressions e. g. to continue – to go on to smoke – to have a smoke

Sources of Synonyms § euphemisms – a shift of unpleasant meaning of a word to a more pleasant or milder one e. g. drunk – merry naked – in one’s birthday suit