3.4. Semantic structure of polysemantic words

Polysemy is a phenomenon of language. The sum total of many contexts the W occurs in permits the lexicographers to record cases of identical & different meanings, registered by lexicographers in dictionaries.

The lexical meaning of a W in speech (contextual meaning) ≠ its semantic structure in language. The contextual meaning represents only 1 of the possible variants of the W, which may render a complicated notion / emotion analyzable into several semes. In this case we deal with the semantic structure of 1 of the W’s meanings.

Polysemy does not interfere with the communicative function of the language: the situation & context cancel the unwanted meanings. Sometimes (in puns) the ambiguity is intended.

G. Leech: reflected meaning – what is communicated through associations with another sense of the same W (Painting is the art of protecting flat surfaces from the weather & exposing them to the critic).

Contextual meanings include nonce usage. Nonce Ws are Ws invented & used for a particular occasion.

The study of means & ways of naming the elements of reality – onomasiology (theory of nomination) – shows how the objects receive their names & what features are chosen to represent them. Every name has its primary function for which it was created (primary / direct nomination), & an indirect / secondary function corresponding to figurative, extended, special meanings.

3.5. Contextual analysis

The contextual method of linguistic research is based on the assumption that difference in meaning of linguistic units is always indicated by a difference in environment. It limits its observations & conclusions to an impressive corpus of actually recorded material. Ws are observed in real texts, not on the basis of dictionaries. E. Nida: “It is from linguistic contexts that the meanings of a high proportion of lexical units in active / passive vocabularies are learned.”

Contextual analysis determines the minimal stretch of speech & the conditions necessary & sufficient to reveal in which of its individual meanings the W is used. It is more concerned with specific features of every particular language than with language universals.

N. Amosova: context is a combination of an indicator (indicating minimum) & the dependant (the W), the meaning of which is to be rendered in a given utterance.

Context: lexical, syntactical, mixed. Lexical context: black velvet, black gloves; black thoughts, black despair; black days, black period.

Lexical contexts are subdivided into lexical contexts of the 1st & 2nd degree. The 1st degree: a direct syntactical connection between the indicator & the dependent (He was arrested on a treason charge). The 2nd degree: no direct syntactical connection (I move that Mr Last addresses the meeting).

Syntactical context: couldn’t make him understand a word I said.

As a rule the indication comes from syntactic, lexical & sometimes morphological factors combined.

N. Amosova distinguishes speech situation (text-situation & life-situation): the indication comes from outside the text. Text-situation – a preceding description.

E. Nida: linguistic & practical context (circumstances of communication: its stimuli, participants, their relation to one another & to circumstances & the response of the listeners).