chapter Five Changes in Word Meaning 英语词汇学 教学课件.pptVIP

Chapter Five Changes in Word Meaning Introduction Vocabulary is the most unstable element of a language as it is undergoing constant changes both in form and content. Comparatively, the content is even more unstable than the form. “Almost every word we use today has a slightly different meaning from the one it had a century ago: and a century ago it had a slightly different meaning from the one it had a century before that.” (Quirk) Look at the following examples. Types of Changes Word-meaning changes by 5 modes Extension Narrowing Degradation Elevation Transfer Of these, extension and narrowing are by far the most common. Extension Extension of meaning, also known as generalization, is the name given to the widening of meaning which some words undergo. It is a process by which a word which originally had a specialized meaning has now become generalized. In other words, the term has extended to cover a broader and often less definite concept. Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Narrowing Narrowing of meaning, also called specialization, is the opposite of widening meaning. It is a process by which a word of wide meaning acquires a narrower or specialized sense. In other words, a word which used to have a more general sense becomes restricted in its application and conveys a special meaning in present-day English. Example I Example II Example III Elevation Elevation or amelioration refers to the process by which words rise from humble beginnings to positions of importance. Some words early in their history signified something quite low or humble, but changed as time went by to designate something agreeable or pleasant. Nice: ignorant foolish delightful, pleasant Marshal and constable: keeper of horses’ now ‘high-ranking army officer’, ‘policeman’ Other examples Degradation Degradation or pejoration of meaning is the opposite of semantic elevation. It is a process whereby words of good origin fall into ill reputation or non-affective words come to be u