16 Questions
What does 'stool' refer to in the context of a chief?
The seat of the chief
What is the meaning of 'maiden name' in the given context?
A given name
What does 'sl empty' mean?
An indication that a pocket is hot
What is the meaning of 'service' in the given context?
A call made to stop a taxi along the road
What is the meaning of 'musical' in the given context?
A musical interlude
What does 'waist' refer to in the context of a medical condition?
A back injury
What is the role of a 'linguist' in the given context?
A spokesperson for the chief
What does 'inf empty' mean?
An angry person
What is the term for when an item's meaning has totally shifted?
Semantic shift
What is the meaning of 'cheap' in the example 'The questions were cheap this year'?
Easy and lucky
What is the term for when an item's meaning has become more positive?
Semantic amelioration
What does 'concert' mean in Ghana according to the example?
Any stage performance
What is the meaning of 'hot' in the example 'I am hot, we have a test tomorrow'?
In difficulties or trouble
What is the term for when an item's meaning has become more limited?
Semantic restriction
What is the term for when an item's meaning has become more negative?
Semantic pejoration
What type of semantic change does the example 'carpet n any non-permanent floor covering' illustrate?
Semantic extension
Study Notes
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.
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