chapter 4 Words in usual collocations
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Gill Philip
Abstract
This chapter explores delexicalisation, which has been referred to as the ‘necessary correlate of co-selection’ (Sinclair 1992: 16). As words crystallise into collocations and those collocations attract stable cotextual patternings, the meaning potential of each of the component words is severely restricted. Just as ‘a word in a usual collocation stares you in the face just as it is’ (Firth 1957: 182), so too the established meaning of the combination overrides the other possible meanings that could be intended, but are not. Because they are highly salient and have an unambiguous “basic” meaning-referent, colour words are ideal for testing the strength of the “meanings have words” approach. The case studies and discussion in this chapter should be of particular interest to translators and foreign language teachers. It is demonstrated not only that the meaning of a phrase is fixed by its conventional lexical realisation, but also – and counter-intuitively – that the salient meanings of its components are largely dormant.
Abstract
This chapter explores delexicalisation, which has been referred to as the ‘necessary correlate of co-selection’ (Sinclair 1992: 16). As words crystallise into collocations and those collocations attract stable cotextual patternings, the meaning potential of each of the component words is severely restricted. Just as ‘a word in a usual collocation stares you in the face just as it is’ (Firth 1957: 182), so too the established meaning of the combination overrides the other possible meanings that could be intended, but are not. Because they are highly salient and have an unambiguous “basic” meaning-referent, colour words are ideal for testing the strength of the “meanings have words” approach. The case studies and discussion in this chapter should be of particular interest to translators and foreign language teachers. It is demonstrated not only that the meaning of a phrase is fixed by its conventional lexical realisation, but also – and counter-intuitively – that the salient meanings of its components are largely dormant.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of tables and figures xi
- Acknowledgements xiii
- chapter 1 A search for meanings 1
- chapter 2 Idioms and idiomaticity 15
- chapter 3 Co(n)text and meaning 35
- chapter 4 Words in usual collocations 83
- chapter 5 Phrases in context 109
- chapter 6 Variation, metaphor and semantic association 143
- chapter 7 Punning, word play and other linguistic special effects 167
- chapter 8 Words and meanings 197
- References 211
- Appendix 221
- Author index 225
- Examples index 227
- Subject index 229
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of tables and figures xi
- Acknowledgements xiii
- chapter 1 A search for meanings 1
- chapter 2 Idioms and idiomaticity 15
- chapter 3 Co(n)text and meaning 35
- chapter 4 Words in usual collocations 83
- chapter 5 Phrases in context 109
- chapter 6 Variation, metaphor and semantic association 143
- chapter 7 Punning, word play and other linguistic special effects 167
- chapter 8 Words and meanings 197
- References 211
- Appendix 221
- Author index 225
- Examples index 227
- Subject index 229
