Theme 5: Semantic Relations of Words and Structure of the English Lexicon

1. Comment on the terms:

a)polysemy, LSV, subordination, coordination, types of LSVs;

b) synonyms, criteria of synonymy (conceptual, semantic, definitional analysis, interchangeability), ideographic synonyms, stylistic synonyms, absolute synonyms, dominant synonym, euphemisms;

c)antonyms, gradable, complementary, contradictory, contrary, absolute, derivational;

d) homonyms, origin of homonyms, homonyms proper, homophones, homographs, full lexical homonyms, partial homonyms (simple lexico-grammatical, complex lexico-grammatical, partial lexical homonyms).

2.Write out from a dictionary all the meanings of the following words. Comment on the semantic structure of the words:

ball, sheet, scandal, sentence, hand, case, to take, to come, to feel, to let.

3.Single out the denotative and connotative components of meaning of the synonyms in the following examples:

1. At the little lady’s command they all smiled. On hearing the story George grinned. 2. Noticing that they were no longer alone, he turned and again began examining the lustre. June had gone. James had said he would be lonely. 3. The child was shivering with cold. The man shuddered with disgust. 4. I am surprised at you. He was astonished to hear this. 5. It’s impolite to stare at people like that. The little boys stood glaring at each other ready to start a fight. The lovers stood gazing into each other’s eyes. 6. He grew white with anger. “It’s a damned shame,” Andrew burst out, forgetting himself in a sudden rush of indignation. 7. He was an elderly man at the time of his marriage. He was an aged man, but not yet old.

4.Using the semantic criterion prove that the rows of words are synonyms:

angry – furious – enraged, to shout – to yell – to roar, fear – terror – horror, to cry – to weep – to sob, to walk – to trot – to stroll, to desire – to wish – to want, to like – to admire – to worship.

5.Find the dominant synonym in the following groups of synonyms:

1. to glimmer – to glisten – to blaze – to shine – to sparkle – to flash – to gleam. 2. To astound – to surprise – to amaze – to puzzle – to astonish.

3. to saunter – to stroll – to wander – to walk – to roam.

4. scent - perfume – smell –odour – aroma.

5. to brood – to reflect – to meditate – to think.

6.Comment on the stylistic usage of the synonyms. Point out euphemistic, archaic, poetical and dialectal synonyms:

Girl – lass, pretty – bonny, shut up! – hush!, stomach – belly, foolish – unwise, also – eke, lake – mere, trousers – unmentionables, possible – feasible, gay – blithe, evening - eventide, yes – aye, musician – minstrel, bomb – device.

7.Find antonyms for the words given below:

good, deep, narrow, clever, young, to love, to reject, to give, strong, to laugh, joy, evil, up, slowly, black, sad, to die, to open, clean, darkness, big.

8.Change the sentences so that they express the contrary meaning by using antonyms. State whether they are absolute or derivational:

1. All the seats were occupied. 2. The room was lighted by the strong rays of the sun. 3. He added three hundred to the sum. 4. I came in while you were asleep. 5. The door was closed and locked. 6. Light curtains hung on the windows. 7. The little boy was outside the car. 8. He drew two crooked lines.

9.Find antonyms in the proverbs. Translate them into Russian:

1. After a storm comes a calm. 2. A god beginning makes a good ending. 3. Be swift to hear, slow to speak. 4. Better a witty fool than a foolish wit. 5. Drunkenness reveals what soberness conceals. 6. Faults are thick when love is thin. 7. Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open.

10.Make up a complete analysis of the homonyms in italics. Translate the sentences into Russian:

1. He couldn’t bear to speak. First catch your bear and then divide the skin. They both, bare-armed, descended the hill. 2. All of them bowed low. It is the hour when from the boughs the nightingale’s high note is heard. Before them stood an Indian with an arrow and a bow. 3. She rose too. The white lane wound down the hill between tall rows of elms. When she left the room, an odour of rose lingered about the nursery.

11.Give as many examples of euphemisms as possible for the words:

to die, devil, God, be pregnant, a lavatory, poor, mad, stupid, drunk, prison.

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