词汇学8.pptVIP

Changes in Word Meaning Sign-shape; sign-content Almost every word we use today has a slightly different meaning from the one it had a century ago. Types of Change 1. extension of meaning (词义的扩大) Generalization, widening of meaning manuscript; fabulous; barn Lynch; Sandwich; Vandal 2. narrowing of meaning （词义的缩小） Specialization, deer; corn; garage 3. Elevation of meaning (词义的升华) Words rise from humble beginnings to positions of importance. Nice: ignorant—foolish-delightful, pleasant Marshal: keeper of horses—army officer 4.Degradation of meaning (词义的降格) Words of good origin fall into ill reputation or come to be used in a derogatory sense. Boor-peasant-rude, ill-manned person Wench-country girl-prostitute Hussy-housewife-woman of low morals Villain-person who worked in a villa-scoundrel 5. transference of meaning (词义的转移) Semantic transfer Pulp-wood-pulp-low quality matters Pulp writers, pulp fiction 1) associated transfer (联想转移) Figurative extension of meaning Lip of a wound; the lip of a cup; tongue of a bell; tongues of fire; teeth of a saw; the teeth of a comb; the nose of a plane; the nose of a ship; the eye of a needle; the eye of a target 2) transfer between abstract and concrete meaning Aftermath-second crop of grass after mowing—consequence, result Room-space-house Grasp-a firm hold-power or ability to understand Stage; nerve 3) transfer between subjective and objective meaning Pitiful-full of pity-deserving pity Dreadful-full of dread-causing dread Suspicious-causing suspicion-showing suspicion Fearful-showing fear-causing fear 4). synesthesia Between words of sensation. Clear-sounding; loud colors; sweet music; warm colors; Hot line; cold war; a warm/cold welcome 6. Euphemism Taboo, specific unpleasantness related to accidents, illness, death, excretion, and sex. Toilet; death; disease Mechanism of Change Associative field (1) a similarity between associated sigh-shapes (2) a similarity between the sign-contents, or concepts (3)a contact bet