Lecture 6 the vocabulary of a language as a system

The questions under consideration

1. Homonyms: Words of the Same Form

1.1. Sources of homonyms

1.2. Homonymy and polysemy

2. Synonyms

2.1. Expressiveness of synonyms

2.2.The problem of criteria of synonymy

2.3.The dominant synonym

2.4. V.V. Vinogradov’s classification system for synonyms

2.5.Classification of synonyms based on difference in connotations

3.Euphemisms. Their types and functions

4.Antonyms

5. Hyponymy and Paronymy

TEST 6

Answer these questions.

1. Which words do we call homonyms?

2. Why can`t homonyms be regarded as expressive means of the language?

3. What is the traditional classification of homonyms? Illustrate your answer with examples.

4. What are the distinctive features of the classification of homonyms suggested by Professor A.I.Smirnitsky?

5. What are the main sources of homonyms? Give examples.

6. In what respect does split polysemy stand apart from other sources of homonyms?

7. Prove that the language units board (“a long and thin piece of timber”) and board (“daily meals”) are two different meanings of one and the same word.

8. What are synonyms?

9. Say why synonyms are one of the language’s most important expressive means. Illustrate your answer with examples.

10. Synonyms are sometimes described as words with “dual” characteristics. What is meant by this?

11. Which word in a synonymic group is considered to be the dominant synonym?

12. Can the dominant synonym be substituted for certain other members of a group of synonyms? Is the criterion of interchangeability applicable in this case?

13. The meanings of two apparent synonyms may be in a way opposed to each other. Why are such words still regarded as synonyms? Give examples.

14. How are synonyms traditionally defined? On what criterion is this definition based? Which aspects of this definition are open to criticism?

15. What types of synonyms were defined in V.V.Vinogradov’s classification system?

16. How can synonyms be defined in the terms of componential analysis? On what criterion is this definition based?

17. Show how the dual nature of synonyms can be clearly seen if they are regarded through semantic criterion.

18. Why is the definition of synonyms based on the criterion of interchangeability open to question?

19. What is the modern approach to classifying synonyms? Give examples.

20. What connotations differentiate the verbs to peep and to peer; the adjectives pretty, handsome and beautiful?

21. Which words are called euphemisms?

22. What are their two main types? What functions do they perform in speech?

23. Show that euphemisms may be regarded as a subtype of synonyms. Which type of connotation is characteristic for them?

24. Which words do we classify as antonyms? Give examples.

25. To which parts of speech do most antonyms belong?

26. Antonyms characterized by common occurences may be said to possess certain “reflected associations”. Explain what is meant by this phrase.