Chapter 7. Distributional changes in synonym sets
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Daniela Pettersson-Traba
Abstract
This chapter analyzes the diachronic development in 19th- and 20th-century American English of the synonyms fragrant, perfumed, and scented, which denote the concept sweet-smelling. Their distributional patterns are examined by means of conditional inference trees and collocational networks in order to (1) uncover distinctions in meaning between the synonyms and (2) determine the changes that the concept sweet-smelling has experienced and their effect on the relationship between the synonyms. Results indicate a significant split between entities denoting natural and artificial smells, associated with fragrant and perfumed, respectively. In turn, scented is common in both senses. Moreover, a significant increase of scented at the expense of fragrant and perfumed emerges over time, a fact which can be accounted for in terms of processes of attraction, differentiation, and ongoing replacement.
Abstract
This chapter analyzes the diachronic development in 19th- and 20th-century American English of the synonyms fragrant, perfumed, and scented, which denote the concept sweet-smelling. Their distributional patterns are examined by means of conditional inference trees and collocational networks in order to (1) uncover distinctions in meaning between the synonyms and (2) determine the changes that the concept sweet-smelling has experienced and their effect on the relationship between the synonyms. Results indicate a significant split between entities denoting natural and artificial smells, associated with fragrant and perfumed, respectively. In turn, scented is common in both senses. Moreover, a significant increase of scented at the expense of fragrant and perfumed emerges over time, a fact which can be accounted for in terms of processes of attraction, differentiation, and ongoing replacement.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Introduction 1
- Chapter 2. Adapting the Dynamic Model to historical linguistics 5
- Chapter 3. An account of the use of fronting and clefting in Cornish English 35
- Chapter 4. How does causal connection originate? 57
- Chapter 5. Old Northumbrian in the Scottish Borders 75
- Chapter 6. From eadig to happy 97
- Chapter 7. Distributional changes in synonym sets 119
- Chapter 8. The taking off and catching on of etymological spellings in Early Modern English 143
- Chapter 9. Speech acts in the history of English 165
- Index 181
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Introduction 1
- Chapter 2. Adapting the Dynamic Model to historical linguistics 5
- Chapter 3. An account of the use of fronting and clefting in Cornish English 35
- Chapter 4. How does causal connection originate? 57
- Chapter 5. Old Northumbrian in the Scottish Borders 75
- Chapter 6. From eadig to happy 97
- Chapter 7. Distributional changes in synonym sets 119
- Chapter 8. The taking off and catching on of etymological spellings in Early Modern English 143
- Chapter 9. Speech acts in the history of English 165
- Index 181
