1、Chapter VI Polysemy and Homonymy1.Polysemy2.Homonymy3.The Stylistic Value of Polysemy and HomonymyPolysemy1.Definition2.The causes of polysemy in English3.Polysemic words4.Two approaches to polysemy5.Two processes leading to polysemyDefinitionA term used in semantic analysis to refer to a lexical it
2、em which has a range of different meanings.The causes of polysemy in English1.Most English words are conventional,arbitrary symbols,it may sometimes happen that more than one meaning is attached to a word.2.In order to express new ideas,new processes,new products,and so forth.3.To achieve languages
3、economy and efficiency.4.To have affective and stylistic meaning for each individual sense.1.Shift in application 使用范围的转移e.g.sharp(刀具)尖利的(言语)苛刻的(行动)直接了当的(感觉)剧烈的(智力)敏捷的2.Mutual transformation between common words and specialized words(专业词汇和单词之间呢的总体改造)e.g.window(窗户)在计算机英语中指“视窗”(视频显示器的荧屏)3.Polysemy res
4、ulting from the figurative use of words(由于修辞用法而产生多义)e.g.My 15 students read Emerson and Thoreau.这是典型的转喻，以人名借代作品。4.Foreign influence(外来词的影响)Polysemic wordsMany words in English,especially the simple words,have not only several,but at times a large number of meanings.e.g.hand1.the part of the body at
5、the end of the arm2.using the hand or number of hands mentioned3.help in doing sth4.the part or role that sb/sth plays in a particular situation5.a part of a clock or watch that points to the number6.a person who does physical work on a farm or a factory7.a sailor on a ship8.by a person rather than
6、a machine9.a particular style of writing10.a unit for measuring the height of a horse,equal to 4 inches or 10.16 centimetres.oxygena chemical element.Oxygen is a gas that is present in air and water and is necessary for people,animal and plants to live.氧，氧气Two approaches to polysemyA.DiachronicB.Syn
7、chronicDiachronicVertical approachHow the semantic structure of a word has developed from a primary(original)meaning to the present(derived)polysemic state.Diachronic mainly focuses on the growth or change in the semantic structure of a word.SynchronicHorizontal approachComparative value of individu
8、al meanings and the interrelation between the central meaning and secondary meanings.Face1.The front part of the head 脸，面部2.An expression on someones face 面部表情，脸色3.Steep,high side of a mountain,cliff 陡面，直立面4.One of the outside surfaces of an object 表面5.The part of a bat or racket that you use to hit
9、 the ball（棒球或球拍的）击打面The front part of the head is the central meaning and the rest are secondary meaning.How can we distinguish the central meaning from the secondary meanings?The frequency of the meaning occur in speechDo you think the primary meaning is the central meaning?PreventCentral meaning:to keep from happeningPrimary meaning:to anticipateIn some cases,a meaning that appearedafter the original meaning can bacome thecentral meaning.
