Questions and Answers
What are synonyms?
What are the three types of synonyms according to Vinogradov?
Absolute, ideographic, stylistic
Absolute synonyms are common in vocabulary.
False
Which of the following best describes ideographic synonyms?
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Hope, expectation, and anticipation are ___ because they mean 'having something in mind likely to happen.'
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Match the words with their definitions:
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What is the stylistic difference between hope, expectation, and anticipation?
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Dialectal variations show that English has no source of synonymy.
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What are some common word-forming processes?
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A set expression is when a verb is combined with a post-positive, such as to ___ - to pick out.
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What is a euphemism?
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Study Notes
Synonyms
- Synonyms are words that belong to the same part of speech and share identical or nearly identical meanings, allowing for interchangeability in certain contexts without significant change in meaning.
- While synonyms may differ in morphemic composition, phonemic shape, and connotations, they can exhibit varied emotional and stylistic characteristics.
Examples of Synonyms
- "Hope," "expectation," and "anticipation" all imply having something in mind that is likely to occur, but they possess different nuances.
- Expectation can refer to both positive and negative outcomes. Anticipation generally reflects a positive expectation, while hope encompasses both belief and desire for a favorable event.
Stylistic Differences
- "Hope" is stylistically neutral and commonly used in idioms, whereas "anticipation" and "expectation" are more formal and typically used by educated speakers.
- Idiomatic expressions exclusively feature "hope," such as "to lose hope" or "to pin one's hopes on something."
Classification of Synonyms
- According to Vinogradov, there are three main categories of synonyms:
- Absolute (total) synonyms
- Ideographic synonyms
- Stylistic synonyms
Absolute Synonyms
- Very rare in use; these synonyms share all meaning shades and stylistic characteristics, making them interchangeable in any given context.
- Examples are typically found in technical literature associated with specific fields.
Ideographic Synonyms
- Convey the same core idea but vary in emotional connotation and meaning. For instance:
- "Stare" (surprise) vs. "glare" (anger).
- Gradations in affection: "like," "admire," "love," "adore," "worship."
Stylistic Synonyms
- Have the same denotative meaning but differ in style. Examples include:
- "Meal" can be referred to as "snack," "bite," or "feast," depending on formality.
- "Girl" may be expressed as "girlie," "lass," or "damsel," indicating various dialects or levels of formality.
Sources of Synonymy
- Synonymy patterns vary across languages, with English showcasing a contrast between simple native words, literary borrowed words (often from French), and learned words of Greco-Latin origin.
Dialects and Variants
- Regional variations lead to synonyms such as:
- "Radio" (American) vs. "wireless" (British).
- "Gimmick" (American) vs. "trick" (British).
Word-forming Processes
- New words emerge through several processes:
- Affixation (e.g., "effectivity" to "effectiveness").
- Loss of affixes (e.g., "amongst" to "among").
- Compounding (e.g., "stuardess" to "airman").
- Shortening (e.g., "popular" to "pop").
Set Expressions
- Certain verbs form fixed phrases, such as:
- "To choose" and "to pick out."
- "To continue" and "to go on."
Euphemism
- A linguistic device where an agreeable term replaces one that is harsh or unpleasant, like "intoxicated" for "drunk" or "perspiration" for "sweat."
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Dive into the world of synonyms with our flashcards that focus on their classification and sources. Explore the nuances between different words that share similar meanings and understand their interchangeable nature in various contexts. Perfect for enhancing your vocabulary skills!
