Main types of Word meaning.doc

Main types of Word meaning Leech used to divide meaning into seven types: conceptual meaning connotative affective associative meaning reflected social collocative Thematic meaning Conceptual Meaning Conceptual Meaning (sometimes called denotative or cognitive meaning) is widely assumed to be the central factor in linguistic communication. Conceptual meaning is the same meaning for all speakers of a given language. For example, “book” can be understood by anyone who is engaged in any profession. So conceptual meaning is called the dictionary meaning or literal meaning of a word. Associative Meaning: In the United Nations, the non-English-speaking countries often refer to the Security council as “the highest organ”，but “the highest organ” often has the sexual associations in the mind of the native speakers:“man’s genital organ”. Some Vips sometimes call “the Security Council” “this awesome organ”, （含有“不文之物”之意）,or “August Body”. From Japan: Special cocktails for the ladies with nuts. You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid. From Mexico: The manager has personally passed all the water served here. From Rome: Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time! From Zurich: Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedrooms, it suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose. From Copenhagen: We take your bags and send them in all directions. From the most distinguished tobacco house in the world. (from an advertisement for Dunhills) “house” might be considered by the uninitiated an unremarkable alternative for firm or manufacturers; but its associations are with gentlemanly businesses carried on by long-established family firms. Cigarettes by John Player, England. It is not so much the choice of wor