15 . Synonymy. Strict (absolute) and loose Synonyms. Criteria for absolute synonymy.

We are still not sure which ws should b correctly considered as syns. Traditional linguistics defined syns as ws of the same category of a part of speech conveying the same notion but differing either in shades of mning or in stylistic characteristics. In terms of componential analysis syns may b defined as ws with the same denotation, but differing in connotations. In modern research on syns the criterion of interchangeability is smtms applied. According to this, syns are defined as ws which are interchangeable at least in some contexts without any considerable alteration in denotational mning. Though syns are not, cannot and should not b interchangeable, in this case they`d simply become useless. Vinogradov developed the system of classification for syns. 3 types: ideographic (ws conveying the same notion but differing in shades of mning), stylistic(differing in stylistic characteristics) & absolute(coinsiding in all shades of mning). The voc system usually rejects one of the abs syn or develops differentiation characteristics in 1 of them(or both).

Strict (absolute) and loose Synonyms. Criteria for absolute synonymy.

In the strict sense, ws that r syns, would have to b interchangeable in all their possible contexts of use with no effect on the mning,style or connotation. It`s uneconomical (such syns change in course of history – heaven/sky – at first both meant physical&spiritual, later..)When we speak of syns we mean varying degrees of loose synonymy.Absolute syns: all meanings are identical,they are synonymous in all contexts, they are semantically equivalent on all dimensions of meaning, descriptive & non-descriptive.

16. Reasons for extensive synonymy in English.

The English lang is peculiarly rich in syns, as, with such a history, it could not fail to b. From the time of Julius Cæsar, Britons,Romans, Saxons, Danes, & Normans fighting, fortifying, &settling upon the soil of Engl, with Scotch & Irish contending for mastery influenced each other's speech. Engl sailors, soldiers, & travelers, trading brought back new terms. English scholars have studiedGreek & Latin for a thousand years. The Engl w-stock is extremely rich in syns, which can be largely because of abundant borrowing. In Engl there are countless pairs of syns where a native term is opposed to one borrowed from French, Latin, and Greek. In most cases the native w is more informal whereas the foreign 1 often has a learned air.The native ws are usually colloquial(bodily - corporal, learned - erudite, sharp – acute). The infiltration of Br Engl by Americanisms also results in the formation of syns pairs(luggage - baggage; lorry – truck) Another source of syn is the euphemism, when a harsh w is subsituted with 1 that has inoffensive connotation. Thus the denotational meaning of drunk and merry may be the same.Very often a learned w which sounds less familiar and less offensive:drunkenness– intoxication. Set expressions consisting of a verb with a postpositive are widely used:abandon - give up