[Lexicog] Law of Synonyms

[Ronald Moe]

Mike Maxwell wrote:

"I'm feeling crochety tonight."

Bill Poser wrote:

"This is a little too strong, I think."

 

I'm just feeling tired tonight and don't want to fight. My definition was
not of 'synonym' but of 'exact synonym'. Both Mike and Bill are correct that
we commonly use 'synonym' to refer to pairs of words that are similar in
meaning, irrespective of usage. If we leave off 'usage', then we can look at
how similar the two words are in meaning and reference (cf. Bill's "truth
conditions"). Unfortunately many semanticists debate whether we can leave
off usage. If there is no clear dividing line between semantics and
pragmatics, then we are right back at my original definition of 'exact
synonym'. Only now it applies equally to 'exact synonym' and 'synonym'. I'm
quite happy to let 'synonym' refer to words that are similar in meaning. But
I am quite unhappy to separate semantics and pragmatics. Instead I see the
two as faces of the same coin. At least I would say they are inextricably
linked with no clear dividing line between them.

 

Ken McElhanon has pointed out that there is only one very small physical
difference between a 'fiddle' and a 'violin'. Essentially they are the same
instrument. But you can hardly use them interchangeably. "Tonight the London
Philharmonic Orchestra will perform several fiddle concertos." I don't think
that trying to make a distinction between semantics and pragmatics even
begins to touch on why 'fiddle' is wrong in this sentence. Words are used in
settings and those settings are just as much a part of a word's "meaning" as
a description of their truth conditions. Fiddles and violins are human
artifacts. All human artifacts have to be defined in terms of their physical
attributes (shape, material composition) and usage (purpose, setting). This
seems to me to be a useful analogy to words-they have to be defined in terms
of their meaning and usage.

 

Ron Moe

 

  _____  

From: lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com
[mailto:lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Mike Maxwell
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 11:13 PM
To: lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Lexicog] Law of Synonyms

 

I'm feeling crochety tonight.

Ronald Moe wrote:
> I believe the correct claim concerning 'synonyms' is that there are 
> no exact synonyms. For two words to be exact synonyms they would have
> to be interchangeable in any and all contexts with no change in 
> meaning or any other aspect of usage.

Well, that's one definition of 'synonym'; I prefer another, which leaves
off the "or any other aspect of usage."

> Concerning 'laptop' and 'notebook', IBM does not sell 'laptops'.

Ah, but I owned an IBM laptop once. Maybe IBM doesn't call it that, but
I did, and so did (and probably do) lots of other people, regardless of
the way IBM might prefer the world to be. Just like I went and xeroxed 
some receipts yesterday.

> I shudder to think how I would clearly and concisely state the
> difference between 'laptop' and 'notebook'.

I think the point is that there is no difference--in meaning.
-- 
Mike Maxwell 

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