The semantic structures of two polysemantic words sometimes coincide in
more than one meaning, but never completely. L. Bloomfield and E. Nida suppose
even that there are no actual synonyms, i.e. forms which have identical meanings.
In a great number of cases the semantic difference between two or more
synonyms is supported by the difference in valency. An example of this is offered by
the verbs
win and
gain both may be used in combination with the noun
victory: to win
a victory, to gain a victory. But with the word
war only
win is possible: to win a war.
Criteria of synonymity is interchangeability. It should be pointed out that
neither the traditional definition of synonyms nor the new version provide for any
objective criterion of similarity of meaning. It is solely based on the linguistic
intuition of the analyst.
Recently there has been introduced into the definition of synonymity the
criterion of interchangeability in linguistic contexts that is synonyms are supposed to
be words which can replace each other in a given context without the slightest
alteration either in the denotational or connotational meaning.
But this is possible only in some contexts, in others their meanings may not
coincide, e.g. the comparison of the sentences "the rainfall in April was abnormal"
and "the rainfall in April was exceptional" may give us grounds for assuming that
exceptional and
abnormal are synonyms. The same adjectives in a different context
are by no means synonymous, as we may see by comparing "my son is exceptional"
and "my son is abnormal" (B. Quirk, the Use of English, London 1962, p. 129)
Peace and
tranquillity are ordinarily listed as synonyms, but they are far from
being identical in meaning. One may speak of
a peace conference, but not
tranquillity
conference. (E.Nida, The Descriptive analysis of words).
Достарыңызбен бөлісу: