Synonyms: Classification and Sources

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."

Description

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!