[Lexicog] Synonymy

[John Roberts]

Ron,

I am not sure if you will find a 'lexicographer's checklist' anywhere. In my
experience separating synonyms based on components of meaning is
idiosyncratic to each pair you are analysing.

Svensén, Bo (1993) Practical Lexicography. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Svensén (1993) shows how to use a componential analysis to distinguish sets
of synonyms with a common meaning of 'structure for sitting'. The principle
is that you use whatever component of meaning that helps to make a
distinction, as below.

Structure for sitting: Seat, Chair, Bench, Form, Stool, Sofa, Settee, Couch,
For one person: Chair, Stool,
For several people: Bench, Form, Sofa, Settee, Couch,
Movable or fixed: Bench,
Movable: Chair, Form, Stool, Sofa, Settee, Couch,
Upholstered: Sofa, Settee, Couch,
Unupholstered: Bench, Form,
Either: Chair, Stool,
Backless: Form, Stool,
With a back: Chair, Bench, Sofa, Settee, Couch,
Indoors: Form, Sofa, Settee, Couch,
Outdoors:
Either: Chair, Bench, Stool,
Lying or sitting: Couch
Functional: Bench, Form, Stool,
For comfort: Sofa, Settee, Couch,
Either: Chair

There are, in fact, two words in this listing that are not distinguished by
the semantic features given, i.e. 'sofa' and 'settee'. These two items
appear to be distinguished on the basis of their historical origins in the
English language. 'Sofa' comes from the Arabic 'suffah' and probably entered
the English language at the time of the Crusades. 'Settee' probably comes
from the Old English word 'setl' meaning 'seat' and is the older term of the
two. The contrast between these two words is that for some speakers 'sofa'
is more informal and 'settee' is more formal.

Cf. also the following synonyms for 'carry' in Amele and NT Greek. In each
case there are a range of different semantic components in each language.

Amele synonyms for 'carry':
be awec           'carry around neck'
cacudoc           'carry over shoulder'
camuhuldoc     'carry slowly, patiently' 'bear, bear with'
esec                 (1) 'carry on head', (2) 'support something about to
fall'
gahidoc            'carry on shoulder'
gugudoc          'carry on head or neck'
guhadoc           'carry on shoulder, back, head'
gulu qoc          'carry a heavy load'
hewi nuec        'carry in hand(s)'
qada qoc          'carry in mouth'
sol mec            'carry a pole with something slung from it'

Koine Greek synonyms for 'carry' (Sorry my Greek characters did not
transfer):
airw               'carry away, bear away, take away'
apoferw        'carry away, bear away, take away'
bastazw        'carry, bear'
diaferw         'more value, better, carry (only one instance, Mk 11.16)'
elaunw          'drive along, carry along'
sugkomizw    'carry (only one instance, Ac 8.2)'
ferw               'bring, carry'
periferw       'carry about'
apagw            'carry away, lead away'
apaferw       'carry away'
metoikizw     'carry away, remove'
ekferw          'carry forth, carry out'
metatiqhmi   'carry over, transfer'
anaferw        'carry up, lead up, bring up'

One factor that may be common across different classes of synonyms is
comparative degree. E.g.

Nouns:
least transparent < smog  -  fog  -  mist  -  haze > most transparent

Adjectives:
big > huge > enormous > gigantic -> greater in size

John Roberts




------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
What would our lives be like without music, dance, and theater?
Donate or volunteer in the arts today at Network for Good!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/TzSHvD/SOnJAA/79vVAA/HKE4lB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->


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/