4.lecture 7 changes in word meaning

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Chapter Seven Changes in Word Meaning

7.1 Types of word-meaning change extension, narrowing, degradation, elevation, transfer.

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7.1.1 extension 词义扩展Extension, or generalization: the widening of the meaning of some words, i.e. the word has extended to cover a broader concept. manuscript: Originally--handwriting; Present -- any author's writing whether written by hand or typed with a typewriter or a word-processor.

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Extension may occur in 3 different ways: A) From specific to general: Picture: past—painting; Present --sb. or sth. made by painting or drawing; A photograph, a film or even a person or thing that is beautiful to look at.

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Butcher: Past -- one who killed goats; Present-- one who kills animals; Holiday: Originally--holy day,a day of religious significant present--day of festivity or recreation, when no work is done.

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B) from proper nouns to common nouns: Many proper nouns including personnames, place-names etc. have become common nouns used in everyday life. E.g.

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Sandwich: two or more slices of (usually buttered) bread with meat or other relish in between (from the fourth Earl (伯爵)of Sandwich, an English 伯爵) nobleman) → a sponge cake consisting of 2 layers with jam and/or cream between them.

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C) from technical terms to general words Bomb: -- a technical term; -- other meanings esp. in the phrase 'like a bomb'. E.g. The car goes like a bomb. (very fast) The party went like a bomb. (very successful)

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7.1.2 narrowing词义收窄 词义收窄 Narrowing of meaning, also called specialization, is the opposite of extension. i.e. a word which used to have a more general sense becomes restricted in its application and expresses a special meaning in present-day English. E.g.

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Deer: "rats and mice and such small deer, have been Tom's food for seven long days' (King Lear)" (In Shakespeare); deer – animal; present-- only one kind of animal; Garage: past -- any safe place (borrowed from French) ; Present -- a place for storing car.

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Word original meaning Liquor liquid Meat food and drink Disease discomfort Wife a woman Girl Y.P.of either sex Accident event

specialized meaning alcoholic drink flesh of animals illness a married woman female child unfortunate event

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7.1.3 Elevation 词义提升 Elevation refers to the process by which words rise from humble (谦卑的 谦卑的) 谦卑的 beginnings to positions of importance. Some words, early in their history, signified sth quite low or humble. But, as time went by, they changed to refer to sth agreeable or pleasant. E.g.

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Nice: original meaning– ignorant; → foolish →delightful, pleasant (presently). Angel: →messenger →messenger of God

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Fame: →report or common talk; →being known or talked about;

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7.1.4 Degradation 词义降格 Degradation is the opposite of semantic elevation. It is a process where words of good origin fall into ill reputation, derogatory sense, or nonaffective words. E.g.

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Silly: happy,fortunate →innocent, harmless →simple-minded →lack of intelligence → an euphemism to indicate that a person is not so wise → foolish

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Sad: satisfied, full, contented →people who were contented were not active: calm → people who were calm were thoughtful: serious →serious people were always gloomy: sorrowful