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SEMANTIC CHANGE &

ETYMOLOGY
LEXICOLOGY &
LEXICOGRAPHY
EPISTEMOLOGY
By: Shelda Audita
WHAT IS
SEMANTICS?
Semantics is the study of the meaning of words, phrases, and
sentences.
The study of semantics includes the study of how meaning is
constructed, interpreted, clarified, obscured, illustrated, simplified
negotiated, contradicted, and paraphrased.
SEMANTIC
CHANGE
Semantic change (also semantic shift, semantic progression, semantic
development, or semantic drift) is the evolution of word usage – usually to
the point that the modern meaning is radically different from the original
usage.
The two most obvious factors in semantic change are the arrival of
new words and the loss of old ones.
KINDS OF
SEMANTIC
Linguists have CHANGE
distinguished several kinds of semantic change. Four
particularly important categories are:
1. Extension or generalization, a lexeme widens its meaning. The modern English
word dog, for example, derives from the earlier form dogge, which was originally
a particularly powerful breed of dog that originated in England.
2. Narrowing or specialization, a lexeme becomes more specialized in meaning.
Girl, originally meant a young person of any gender, but now means a female
child or young woman.
3. Amelioration. A lexeme develops positive sense of approval. Revolutionary, once
associated in the capitalist mind with an undesirable overthrowing of the status
quo, is now widely used by advertisers as a signal of desirable novelty.
4. Pejoration or deterioration. A lexeme develops a negative sense of
disapproval.
Example:
Cowboy originally developed quite positive connotations, with its romantic
associations of the Wild West. To these have now been added a number of
distinctly negative overtones in certain regional varieties.
 In British English, it can mean an incompetent or irresponsible workman or
business: cowboy-plumbers, cowboy double-glazing firm.
 In Northern Ireland, it can mean a member of sectarian gang.
 In American English, it can mean an automobile driver who doesn’t follow the
rules of the road or a factory worker who does more than the peace-work
norms set by his union or fellow-workers.
ETYMOL
OGY
Etymology is the systematic study and classification of word origins,
especially as regards forms and meanings - it is therefore an important
concept both for semantics and the study of language change.
Example:
In the 14th century "gentle" had the meaning of "noble", referring both to
social class and to character. Because a noble person was supposed to be
kind and considerate, the adjective today has the sense of "tender",
"careful" or "delicate".
LEXICOLOGY &
LEXICOGRAPHY
• Lexicology is the systematic historical (diachronic) and contemporary (synchronic)
study of the lexicon or vocabulary of a language. This may include their nature and
function as symbols, their meaning, the relationship of their meaning
to epistemology in general, and the rules of their composition from smaller
elements (morphemes such as the English -ed marker for past or un- for negation;
and phonemes as basic sound units).
Example :
 write – writer  Fathom - unfathomably
 Able - unable
• Lexicography is the art and science of dictionary making.
EPISTEMO
LOGY
• This is the traditional name for the division of philosophy otherwise
known as theory of knowledge. Epistemology underlies semantics in a
fundamental way. Historically, it has had a profound influence on how we
understand language.
• For example, a modern language scientist, looking at the class of words
we think of as nouns, might to wish subdivide them further. But there is no
very good reason to split them into those that denote physical and
material realities and those that denote feelings and concepts - that is
concrete and abstract nouns.
EXER
CISES
1. What type of semantic change is involved in the following English words
(generalization, specialization, amelioration, or pejoration) ?
a. Silly : wise > stupid (pejoration)
b. Furniture : equipment > decoration in a house (specialization
c. Bird : bridde (young birds) > any birds )(generalization)
d. Nice : foolish/silly > kind/friendly (amelioration)
2. “Escape” which came into English from the Latin “excappāre” in which “ex”
meant “out” and “cappa” meant cloak. Its original meaning meant “to
uncloak” or to get undressed. Over time, “escape” broadened to mean “to get
free from detention.” (etymology)
Thank You

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