Synonymy Criteria and Analysis Methods

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Questions and Answers

Which criterion of synonymy focuses on the meanings and characteristics of words?

  • Conceptual criterion
  • Stylistic criterion
  • Semantic criterion (correct)
  • Phonetic criterion

What issue has been raised regarding the term 'shades of meaning' in traditional definitions of synonymy?

  • It lacks precision and is considered vague. (correct)
  • It is too broad and captures all meanings.
  • It is too specific and only applies to a few words.
  • It only applies to verbs and not other parts of speech.

What is the primary focus of transformational analysis in studying synonyms?

  • Examining the semantic components of the words. (correct)
  • Finding antonyms for each word.
  • Comparing the sound structures of synonyms.
  • Identifying parts of speech of each word.

In componential analysis, what do synonyms share according to the semantic criterion?

<p>The same denotation and connotations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic do the words 'stare', 'gaze', and 'glare' share?

<p>They all imply a steady and lasting look. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method is used to analyze a group of synonyms through their dictionary definitions?

<p>Definitional analysis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of language does traditional linguistics use to define synonyms?

<p>Conceptual frameworks (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following words is defined in the context of looking briefly or in passing?

<p>Glance (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Synonymy Criteria

A set of rules or characteristics used to identify synonyms. There's still debate in linguistics about how to define and categorize synonyms accurately.

Traditional Synonym Criterion

Traditional linguistics defined synonyms as words sharing the same concept but differing in nuance or style.

Conceptual Criterion Criticism

Using "concept" to define synonyms is problematic because it's an external concept, not a linguistic one.

Semantic Criterion

A modern approach that uses semantic analysis (component parts of meaning) to define synonyms.

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Componential Analysis

Analyzing words by their semantic components (meaning parts) is part of synonymy research.

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Definitional Analysis

Synonym study using dictionary definitions compared closely to define meaning components.

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Transformational Analysis

Synonyms are studied by analyzing how dictionary definitions change and form different components of meaning.

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Synonyms for "look"

Different ways of saying "look" (e.g., stare, glare, gaze, glance, peer) reveal the nuances of meaning through components.

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Study Notes

Synonymy Criteria

  • Synonymy is debated; criteria for determining synonyms are not universally agreed upon.
  • Traditional linguistics defines synonyms as words of the same part of speech, same concept, but different shades or styles.
  • This definition is criticized for relying on subjective "concept" rather than precise linguistic criteria.
  • Contemporary research often uses a semantic criterion.

Componential Analysis

  • Synonyms share the same core meaning (denotation) but differ in connotations (associations).
  • This approach, while not perfect, has advantages for analysis methods.

Synonym Analysis Methods

  • Definitional Analysis: Analyzing dictionary definitions of synonyms and comparing them comparatively.
  • Transformational Analysis: Applying transformations to analyze the semantic components of words.
  • This isolates the semantic elements within each word, allowing deeper analysis.

Examples of "Look" Synonyms

  • Detailed examples of how the methods would be applied to the verb "to look." The examples show different synonyms of "look", and their associated semantic components, like "stare," "glare", impacting factors like sustained time, stealth, and difficulty.

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