Primary word formation and lexical change Flashcards
Types of primary word formation
Onomatopoeia - a process of forming words based on the sound aspect of the thing they refer to (e.g. CUCKOO, BUZZ, KNOCK)
Coining - a process of forming words from scratch.
Lexical change
Lexical change - change of vocabulary in a given language where either new words appear (lexical addition, e.g. SELFIE, GOOGLE V) or old ones disappear ( lexical loss, e.g. THOU). Some words don’t disappear, they are just parts of specific dialects.
Linguistic causes of lexical change
- Differentiation of synonymy - one member changes the meaning in order to survive (e.g. TIME & TIDE)
- Fixed context - can be seen in the case of the word TOKEN. The noun originally had the meaning ‘sign’ but due to competition with the loan word ‘sign’ it is now used in context such as LOVE TOKEN, TOKEN OF RESPECT
- Ellipsis - Omission of some elements from a fixed expression (e.g. EXPECTING - EXPECTING A BABY)
Semantic broadening
When the meaning of a word turns from specific to more broadened and general (e.g. DOG - A HUNTING DOG - ANY CANINE)
Semantic extension
When proper nouns become common nouns (e.g. WATT - FROM JAMES WATT; DEGREES CELSIUS - FROM ANDERS CELSIUS)
Semantic narrowing
When the meaning of a word is changed from general to a more specific one (e.g. WITCH - MALE OR FEMALE SORCERER - FEMALE SORCERER)
Semantic shift
When a word loses its earlier meaning but still refers to a somewhat related new meaning (e.g. HEARSE)
Short-hands
Economical linguistic calculations of the speaker which take into account contextual information (e.g. ordering beer) as well as metonymy - a reference to an entity by naming something related with it & synecdoche - a part stands for the whole
Semantic loss
Complete loss of a word, occurs as a result of changes in society. (e.g. GREED - VOICE; WONE - HOME)
Semantic intention
When common nouns become propper nouns (e.g. BIG APPLE - NYC)
