现代英语词汇学概论9 Changes in Word Meaning.pptVIP

7 Changes in Word Meaning 第七部分 Types of changes Causes of changes extension narrowing elevation degradation transfer Extra-linguistic factors Linguistic factors historical reason class reason psychological reason shortening re-division through borrowing analogy BACK Changes in Word Meaning ? Vocabulary : ? 1. most unstable element of a language ? 2. undergoing constant changes both in form and content ? 3. Comparatively, meaning even more unstable Changes in Word Meaning ? Quirk : ‘ ...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 . Changes in Word Meaning ? Shakespeare s use : ? The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste … ? rival = partner ? Thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour … ? jump = just Changes in Word Meaning ? How pregnant sometimes his replies are … ? pregnant = meaningful 7.1 Types of Change 1. Extension ? extension= generation : ? change from a specific meaning to a more general one 1. Extension ? manuscript = hand + writing ? 1) first draft written by hand ? 2) writing by any means 1. Extension ? lady 1) mistress ? 2) woman ? e.g. sales lady ; lady novelist; ? ladies room=ladies ? salary : money given to Roman soldiers to buy salt 1. Extension ? Holiday: 1) Holy Day ? 2) any day or days without work or study 1. Extension ? Technical terms used as common words : ? feedback (computer) = response ? allergic (medicine) = averse to anything 2. Narrowing ? Narrowing= specialization: ? change from a general meaning to a specific meaning ? wife woman → a married woman ? e.g. The Merry Wives of Wins