Linguistics: Semantic Changes in English Compounds

What does 'stool' refer to in the context of a chief?

What is the meaning of 'maiden name' in the given context?

What does 'sl empty' mean?

What is the meaning of 'service' in the given context?

What is the meaning of 'musical' in the given context?

What does 'waist' refer to in the context of a medical condition?

What is the role of a 'linguist' in the given context?

What does 'inf empty' mean?

What is the term for when an item's meaning has totally shifted?

What is the meaning of 'cheap' in the example 'The questions were cheap this year'?

What is the term for when an item's meaning has become more positive?

What does 'concert' mean in Ghana according to the example?

What is the meaning of 'hot' in the example 'I am hot, we have a test tomorrow'?

What is the term for when an item's meaning has become more limited?

What is the term for when an item's meaning has become more negative?

What type of semantic change does the example 'carpet n any non-permanent floor covering' illustrate?

English Items: Semantic Changes

English items have undergone semantic or formal changes, categorized into five subsets: semantic extension, semantic restriction, semantic pejoration, semantic amelioration, and semantic shift.

Semantic Categories

Semantic extension: carpet (any non-permanent floor covering), cheap (second-rate, easy, lucky), concert (stage performance, to act as if performing)
Semantic restriction: no examples shown
Semantic pejoration: no examples shown
Semantic amelioration: no examples shown
Semantic shift: no examples shown

Examples of Semantic Extension

Carpet: can be woollen or made from straw, or linoleum in Ghana
Cheap:
- 1 second-rate: used to describe someone as managing director
- 2 easy; lucky: used to describe questions or newsreaders
Concert:
- 1 n stage performance: used to describe any stage performance in Ghana
- 2 v intr to act as if performing: used to describe someone's actions

More Examples of Semantic Extension

Hot:
- 1 sl in difficulties/trouble: used to describe someone's situation
- 2 inf angry: used to describe someone's emotions
- 3 sl empty: used to describe someone's pocket
Linguist: spokesman for the chief, also referred to as 'okyame'
Maiden name: given name, used to describe someone's name before marriage or name change
Musical(s): musical interlude, used to describe short musical segments between programs
Service: call made to stop a taxi along the road
Stool:
- 1 seat and authority of the chief: used to describe the seat and power of the chief
- 2 the seat itself: used to describe the physical seat
Waist: back, especially when referring to a medical condition

Explore the semantic and formal changes in English items, including compounds, and how they are categorized into different subsets. Learn about the overlap between these categories and the examples of semantic pejoration and amelioration.