英语词汇学课件chapter-7-Changes-in-Word-Meaning.pptVIP

Chapter 7 Changes in Word Meaning The vocabulary is the most unstable element of a language as it is undergoing constant changes both in the sign-shapes and sign contents. Comparatively, the latter is even more unstable than the former. Changing in word meaning has never ceased since the beginning of language and will continue in the future. Yet no one has been able to systemize the ways in which changes occur. Empirical studies have identified a few patterns that changes follow. This chapter will discuss in some detail the major patterns, the mechanism underlying these pa