Define the kind of association involved in the semantic change

The Semantic Structure of the English Word

Branch Linguistics Semasiology scholar(s) Semantics lexical include(s) denotative connotative denotation leading seme(s)

mother father

noun < part of speech meaning > noun

seme parent < common sem. comp. > parent \\\ lexical meaning

seme female < differential sem. comp. > male \\\ (only denotative comp.)

connotation additional attitude evaluation clique intensity adore duration glance briefly thus own inner therefore within separate

Polysemy monosemantic mainly scientific terms polysemantic ability include appearance loss differentiate usage dictionary common application

Semantic Change

course coexist snail flesh cause(s) extra-linguistic social scientific notion carriage vehicle drawn railway due to influence synonyms deer meant beast certain

nature necessary condition connection association metaphor based similarity metonymy contiguity appear associating phenomena outward needle comb neck psychological links relations common lowest mink tweed boycott hooligan inventor invent

denotational narrowing broadening connotational degradation villain vile gossip amelioration marshal manservant rank

Explain the basis for the following jokes.

1. “Where have you been for the last four years?”

“At college takingmedicine.”

“And did you finally get well?”

2. “I wonder if I can see your mother, little boy. Is she engaged?”

“Engaged! She is married.”

3. Professor: You missed my class yesterday, didn’t you?

Student: Not in the least, sir, not in the least.

4. “You have to change twice before you get to York”.

“Goodness me! And I only brought the clothes I’m wearing!”

5. Father was explaining to his little son the fundamentals of astronomy.

“That’s a comet.”

“A what?”

“A comet. You know what a comet is?”

“No.”

“Don’t you know what they call a star with a tail?”

“Sure – a Mickey Mouse.”

6. What has eyes yet never sees?

Define the kind of association involved in the semantic change.

Model: glass (a transparent solid substance used for making windows, bottles, etc.) – a glass (a container used for drinking, made of glass).

*The kind of association is metonymy.

Crown (a circular ornamental headdress worn by a monarch) – crown (monarchy), Matisse (proper name) – a Matisse (a painting), the wing of a bird – the wing of a building, the key to a door – the key to a mystery, copper (metal) – copper (coin), the heart of a man – the heart of a city, China (a country) – china (dishes made of porcelain), jean (heavy cotton cloth, especially denim) – jeans (trousers made of denim), the bridge across the river – the bridge of a nose, a whip (a lash used to urge horses on) – a whip (an official in the British Parliament to see that members are present at the debate), the tongue of a person – the tongue of a bell.

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