Seminar III (Semantic Change) [PDF]

Zitiervorschau

Seminar III (group 264) Semantic Changes of Word Meaning Topics for discussion Change of meaning. Linguistic and Extra-linguistic Changes of Word-Meaning. Linguistic Metaphor and Metonymy. Extension, narrowing, elevation, degradation of meaning of a word, metaphor, metonymy. Tasks and Exercises Exercise 1. Below are listed the original meanings of some simple words in Old English. As you see these meanings are different from those the words have now. Consult dictionaries and say what kind of semantic change was involved in the development of these words. bird, n. - OE brid - nestling, fledgling; camp, n. - OE camp = battle, struggle, contest; deal, v. - OE daelan = share, distribute, take part; deer, n. -OE deor = animal, beast; dwell, v. - OE dwellan - lead astray, deceive, make a mistake; fair, a. - OE fzer = beautiful, pretty, sweet; fear, n. - OE faer -sudden attack, danger; fowl, n. - OE fuzol = bird; lord, N. - OE leaford -master; silly, a. - OE saliz = happy, blessed, holy. Exercise 2. State the sentence in which the underlined word has a metaphorical meaning. Explain your choice. Translate the sentences into Romanian: 1. The car stuck in the mud. 2. The words stuck in her throat. 3. The lock won’t open, it’s gone rusty. 4. His German is a bit rusty. 5. Knit me a muffler. 6. He knit his brows and looked angry. 7. He jumped the fence. 8. Don’t jump to conclusions. 9. Will you wrap up the parcel for me? 10. She is wrapped up in her children.

Exercise 3. Look up the etymology of the following words and discuss what types of semantic changes took place in the history of each word: doctor, forest, girl, notorious, pastor, priest, vulgar, to surf.