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Semantic Change

  • Understanding semantic change, the evolution of word meanings over time.

Synonymy

  • Definition: Words that are closely related but not identical.

  • Contextual Usage: No free exchange in all contexts.

  • Examples:

    • LIBERTY and FREEDOM

    • KEEP and RETAIN

      • "Keep your subway ticket for inspection."

      • "They always keep the back gate locked."

    • BUSY and OCCUPIED

      • "The manager is busy."

      • "This seat is occupied."

Linguistic Historical Synonymy

  • Understanding linguistic wastage where languages eliminate redundant words.

  • Quote from Jackson, 1988: "A language cannot tolerate two words with the same usage context for long."

  • Doubts about strict synonymy among linguists.

Semantic Specialisation

  • Borrowing from another language leading to differentiation of meaning.

  • Example of MUTTON:

    • Initially borrowed from French as 'Mouton' (sheep) which has become specialised to mean sheep meat.

Obsolescence

  • Certain words fall out of use over time

    • Example: 'Reward' introduced from Norman French leaving 'Meed' obsolete.

Restriction in Use

  • High Restrictions: Words like 'Enemy' and 'Foe' have literary associations.

  • Stylistic Restrictions: Borrowed words often have a formal context (e.g., 'Commence' vs 'Start').

Semantic Change Types

  • Narrowing: Specific meanings become restricted.

    • Examples:

      • 'accident': from any event to unintended harmful event.

      • 'adder': from any serpent to vipers.

  • Widening: Meanings broaden in use, leading to more homonyms.

    • Examples:

      • 'manage': from handling a horse to handling anything successfully.

      • Personal names become associated with products (e.g., Ford cars).

Amelioration and Pejoration

  • Amelioration: Gaining a more positive meaning.

  • Pejoration: Gaining a more negative meaning.

    • Examples:

      • 'villain': from humble serf to scoundrel.

      • 'peasant': from country farmer to low-status person.

The Barber-Surgeon Example

  • Historical roles of barber-surgeons contrasting with physicians of their time; performing surgery whilst physicians avoided.

Verbicide

  • Coined term by Oliver Wendell Holmes for deliberate distortion of a word's meaning.

Contemporary Example

  • Dunkin' Donuts Case: Complaint regarding the use of "artisan" in their product descriptions, suggesting a disconnect from true artisanal standards.

References

  • English Words: Structure, History, Usage by Francis Katamba (2005)

  • Euphemism and Language Change by Kate Burridge (2012)

  • Words and Their Meaning by Howard Jackson (1988)