现代英语词汇学概论9 Changes in Word Meaning

7ChangesinWordMeaning第七部分TypesofchangesCausesofchangesextensionnarrowingelevationdegradationtransferExtra-linguisticfactorsLinguisticfactorshistoricalreasonclassreasonpsychologicalreasonshorteningre-divisionthroughborrowinganalogyBACKChangesinWordMeaningVocabulary:1.mostunstableelementofalanguage2.undergoingconstantchangesbothinformandcontent3.Comparatively,meaningevenmoreunstableChangesinWordMeaningQuirk:‘...almosteverywordweusetodayhasaslightlydifferentmeaningfromtheoneithadacenturyago,andacenturyagoithadaslightlydifferentmeaningfromtheoneithadacenturybeforethat’.ChangesinWordMeaningShakespeare’suse:Therivalsofmywatch,bidthemmakehaste…rival=partnerThustwicebefore,andjumpatthisdeadhour…jump=justChangesinWordMeaningHowpregnantsometimeshisrepliesare…pregnant=meaningful7.1TypesofChange1.Extensionextension=generation:changefromaspecificmeaningtoamoregeneralone1.Extensionmanuscript=hand+writing1)firstdraftwrittenbyhand2)writingbyanymeans1.Extensionlady1)mistress2)womane.g.saleslady;ladynovelist;ladies’room=ladiessalary:moneygiventoRomansoldierstobuysalt1.ExtensionHoliday:1)HolyDay2)anydayordayswithoutworkorstudy1.ExtensionTechnicaltermsusedascommonwords:feedback(computer)=responseallergic(medicine)=aversetoanything2.NarrowingNarrowing=specialization:changefromageneralmeaningtoaspecificmeaningwifewoman→amarriedwomane.g.TheMerryWivesofWinsor《温莎的风流娘儿们》housewife;midwife2.Narrowingactordoermemorymemoryincomputershroudclothclothforwrappingthecorpseaprivate=aprivatesoldieragold=agoldmedal3.Elevationelevation=amelioration:changefromnegativetopositivefromderogatorytoappreciativefromneutraltoappreciativefromunimportanttoimportant3.Elevationgovernorpilotheadofastateministerservantheadofaministrylordloafgiver16Examples:wordOriginalmeaningMeaningafterelevationMinisteraservantApersonattheheadofadepartmentofstateMarshalahorsetenderOfficerofhighestrankshrewsevil,badKeen-witted,clevernicefoolishgood4.Degradationdegradation=pejoration:changefromappreciativetopejorativefrompositivetonegativefromimportanttounimportantfromneutraltonegative4.Degradationcriticizeappraisefindfaultwithvillainworkeratavillawickedperson/scoundrelcunningskillfulslyqueenhomosexualwife5.Transfer/transferenceTransfer=transference:meaningshiftfromonethingtoanother5.Transfer/transferenceTypesofTransfer1.Associatedtransferthemeaningistransferredthroughassociationtodog追踪tomonkey戏弄5.Transfer/transferencetoape模仿tofox欺骗theteethofacomb梳齿thetonguesoffire火舌teethandtonguessemanticallymotivated5.Transfer/transference2.Transferbetweenabstractandconcretemeaningaftermathsecondcropofgrassaftermowing(concrete)resultorconsequence(abstract)5.Transfer/transferenceenvyfeelingofsuch(abstract)apersontobeenvied(concrete)e.g.Maryistheenvyoftheclass.(concrete)5.Transfer/transference3.TransferbetweensubjectiveandobjectivemeaningTheoldmanishateful.Theoldmanishatedbypeople.Theoldmanreceiveshate.(objective)5.Transfer/transferenceTheteacherwassuspiciousofthestudent’sexcuse.Theteachersuspectedthestudent’sexcuse.(subjective)5.Transfer/transferenceCharacteristicsofverbs:subjective:havingshowingfullofobjective:causingdeservingbringing5.Transfer/transferencepainfulobjectiveconsideratesubjectiverespectableobjectiverespectfulsubjective5.Transfer/transferencecourageoussubjectivedangerousobjectivesuspicioussubjective/objectivefearfulsubjective/objectivedoubtfulsubjective/objective5.Transfer/transferenceThemanlookssuspiciousashisbehaviorisunusual.(objective)Theneighboursaresuspiciousofthemanashisbehaviourisunusual.(subjective)5.Transfer/transferenceTheteacherwasdoubtful1ofthedoubtful2excuseofthestudent.(1)subjective(2)objective5.Transfer/transference4.Synesthesiaatransferofsensationfromsensetoanothersenseclear-soundingfromsighttohearingloudcoloursfromhearingtosightsweetmusicfromtastetohearing7.2CausesofChanges7.2.1Extra-linguisticFactors1.Historicalreasonsuntheluminousheavenlybody—oneofthesevenplanetsrevolvingaroundtheearthThesunrisesandsets.7.2.1Extra-linguisticFactorsastararoundwhichtheearthandotherplanetsrevolve...(WNWD)atomfromatomos(Greek)anyoftheindivisibleparticles7.2.1Extra-linguisticFactors2.Classreasonchurl‘peasant’‘freeman’‘uncultivatedormeanperson’hussy‘housewife’‘womanoflowmorals’wench‘countrygirl’‘prostitute’7.2.1Extra-linguisticFactors3.Psychologicalreasongarbagecollectorsanitationengineerbarberbeauticianpolicemancustodianoflawpoorpeopletheunprivileged7.2.1Extra-linguisticFactorsdoginformerarsedespisedprisonersquare-headhonestman7.2.2LinguisticFactors1.Shorteninggoldgoldmedalbulblightbulb7.2.2LinguisticFactors2.Borrowingdeernarrowedfrom‘animal’animal(L)keepingthesamemeaningbeast(F)changedincolourpig/porksheep/muttoncattle/beef7.2.2LinguisticFactors3.Analogizingfruition(1)apleasureobtainedfromusingorpossessingsomething(2)thebearingoffruit(visualsimilarityandassociation)