[Lexicog] Obtaining connotation

[Translation MALI]

Mike,

Yes, that is part of the answer: new connotations as a result
of new collocations. The new company a word is in, rubs off,
so to speak.
A lot has to do with creativity. One can extend the meaning
of words out of sheer playfulness, or for practical reasons.
Reinterpretation/redefinition of terms happens all the time.
Especially dominant groups (ideologues, demagogues, missionaries
of any faith, publicity specialists) have used this strategy
throughout history to impose or introduce their worldview or
sell their product.
The German sociologist Helmut Schelsky said insightfully in
his article "Macht durch Sprache" (Power through language)
(translated from German my me):

   Invincible power is won by those who are able
   to find and exploit the key words for the great desires
   of humankind, even if only for a generation ... Immediate
   linguistic control in everyday politics is gained by those
   who succeed in occupying semantic fields in which the power
   struggle is going on. Those who can dictate their definition
   of words to others are those who win."
(Published in Gerd-Klaus Kaltenbrunner. Sprache und Herrschaft:
              Die Umfunktionierten Worter. Freiburg: Herder.

Food for thought for dictionary-makers!

Fritz Goerling



How do words obtain connotation?

Is it because of the other words the language group collocates them
with?

--
Mike Sangrey
msangrey at BlueFeltHat.org
Landisburg, Pa.
                        "The first one last wins."
            "A net of highly cohesive details reveals the truth."




Yahoo! Groups Links








Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lexicographylist/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
     lexicographylist-unsubscribe at yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
     http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/