Synonymy Criteria PDF

Criteria of Synonymy Synonymy is associated with some theoretical problems, which at present are still an object of controversy. Probably, the most controversial among these is the problem of criteria of synonymy. To put it in simpler words, we are still not certain which words should correctly be c...

Criteria of Synonymy Synonymy is associated with some theoretical problems, which at present are still an object of controversy. Probably, the most controversial among these is the problem of criteria of synonymy. To put it in simpler words, we are still not certain which words should correctly be considered as synonyms, nor are we agreed as to the characteristic features which qualify two or more words as synonyms. Traditional linguistics solved the problem with the conceptual criterion and defined synonyms as words of the same category of parts of speech conveying the same concept but different either in shades of meaning or in stylistic characteristics. Some aspects of this definition have been criticized. It has been pointed out that linguistic phenomena should be defined in linguistic terms and that the use of term concept makes this an extralinguistic definition. The term “shades of meaning” has been condemned for its vagueness and lack of precision. In contemporary research on synonymy semantic criterion is frequently used. In terms of componential analysis synonyms may be defined as words with the same denotation, or the same denotative component, but differing in connotations, or in connotative components. Though not beyond criticism, this approach has its advantages and suggests certain methods of analysing synonyms. A group of synonyms may be studied with help of their dictionary definitions (definitional analysis). In this work the data from various dictionaries are analysed comparatively. After that the definitions are subjected to transformational operations (transformational analysis). In this way, the semantic components of each analysed word are singled out. Here are the results of the definitional and transformational analysis of some of the numerous synonyms for the verb to look. to stare ------- to look + steadily, lastingly + in surprise, curiosity, etc to glare -------- to look + steadily, lastingly + in anger,rage, fury to gaze ---------to look + steadily, lastingly + in tenderness, admiration, wonder to glance ------ to look + briefly, in passing to peer --------- to look + steadily, lastingly + by stealth; through an opening or from a concealed location to peer --------- to look + steadily, lastingly + with difficulty or strain