Chapter8WordsinContext

1、Chapter 8Words in Contexti. DefinitionI. Tabooa word or expression that is prohibited by the “polite” society from general useborrowed from Tongan ( a Polynesian language)ii. TypesI. Taboowords relating to sex, sex organs, and natural bodily functions fuck, intercourse prick, cock, cunt, testicles,

2、tits, balls, breast shit, fart, piss iii. ConclusionI. TabooThe avoidance of using taboo language mirrors social attitudes, emotions and value judgments.i. DefinitionII. Euphemism Euphemism comes from the Greek word euphemismos, meaning “to speak with good words”. Euphemism is a mild, indirect or le

3、ss offensive word or expression substituted when the speaker or writer fears more direct wording might be harsh, unpleasantly direct, or offensive.ii. ExamplesII. Euphemism Euphemism Denotationeconomically deprived poorlow-income dressescheap clothesdignified matronold womannegative savingsdebtsdisa

4、bledcrippleretirement pension old-age pensionii. ExamplesII. Euphemism Euphemism Denotationunemployment benefit doletake industrial action go on strikechemical dependency drug addictionunder the weather illlow IQ / slow stupidcompanion animal petdisposal officer dustmansanitation engineer dustmanii.

5、 ExamplesII. Euphemism Euphemism Denotationcorrectional facilityprisoncorrectional officergaolerdevelopment areaslum areapacificationbombardmentiii. EffectII. Euphemism1. Positive: remove derogatory overtones, avoid embarrassmentshit poop piss pee fartbreak winddiepass awayiii. EffectII. Euphemism2.

6、 Negative: be evasive or deceitfulThe employees who had been notified of an interruption in their employment were referred to their outplacement manager.The laid-off employees were told to speak to the person who would try to help them find new jobs.iii. EffectII. Euphemism2. Negative: be evasive or

7、 deceitfulI purchased a residential property that was in need of substantial upgrading.I bought a house in need of repair.iii. EffectII. Euphemism2. Negative: be evasive or deceitfullogistical strikes：bombardmentaction of decapitation:wasting the enemy：collateral damage：civilian casualtiesiv. Conclu

8、sionII. Euphemism Taboo and euphemism are two faces of the same communication coin. We should properly use euphemisms. i. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shifts It is a process by which a word which originally had a specialized meaning has now become generalized or has extended to cover a broader and of

9、ten less definite concept.1. Extension (Broadening, Generalization)i. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftsmanuscript:handwritingany authors writing whether written by hand or typed with a typewriter1. Extension (Broadening, Generalization)i. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftsfabulous:resembling a fabl

10、e, based on a fableincredible, marvelousbarn:a place for storing only barleystoreroom1. Extension (Broadening, Generalization)i. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftspicture:paintingdrawings, photographsbonfire:fire on bonesa fire in the open made by burning anything1. Extension (Broadening, Generaliza

11、tion)i. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftsbutcher:one who kills goatsone who kills anythingmill:place for grinding grain into flourplace where things are made1. Extension (Broadening, Generalization)i. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftsalibi:plea that the accused is not at the place when the crime i

12、s committedexcuse1. Extension (Broadening, Generalization)i. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shifts2. Narrowing (Specialization)It is a process by which a word of wide meaning acquires a narrower or specialized sense.i. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftscorn:grainmaize2. Narrowing (Specialization)garage

13、: (from French)a place for storage a place for storing carsi. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftsgirl:young person of either sexfemale young person2. Narrowing (Specialization)liquor:liquidalcoholic drinki. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftsmeat:foodflesh of animals2. Narrowing (Specialization)diseas

14、e:discomfortillnessi. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftspoison:drinkpoisonous drink2. Narrowing (Specialization)wife:womanmarried womani. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftsaccident:eventunfortunate event2. Narrowing (Specialization)i. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning ShiftsIt is a process by which words

15、rise from humble beginnings to positions of importance.3. Elevation (Amelioration)i. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftsnice:ignorantfoolish3. Elevation (Amelioration)delightful, pleasantmarshal:keeper of horseshigh-ranking army officeri. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftsminister:servanthead of the

16、government ministry3. Elevation (Amelioration)angel:messengermessenger of Godi. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftsknight:servantrank below baronet3. Elevation (Amelioration)earl:mana British peer rankingi. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftsgovernor:pilothead of a state3. Elevation (Amelioration)fond

17、:foolishaffectionatei. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning ShiftsIt is a process whereby words of good origin or affective neutrality fall into ill reputation or come to be used in a derogatory sense.4. Degradation (Pejoration)i. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftsboor:a peasanta rude, ill-mannered person4.

18、Degradation (Pejoration)silly:happyfoolishi. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftsvulgar:ordinary, common rude, coarse, indecent4. Degradation (Pejoration)knave:boydishonest personi. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftscriticize:appraise find fault with4. Degradation (Pejoration)lust:pleasuresexual desir

19、ei. Types of ChangeIII. Meaning Shiftschurl:peasant, free man uncultivated or mean person4. Degradation (Pejoration)wench:country girlprostituteii. Causes of ChangeIII. Meaning Shifts1) Historical reason1. Extra-linguistic Factorscara. A word is retained for a name though the meaning has changed bec

20、ause the referent has changed.ii. Causes of ChangeIII. Meaning Shifts1) Historical reason1. Extra-linguistic Factorsa. A word is retained for a name though the meaning has changed because the referent has changed.penii. Causes of ChangeIII. Meaning Shifts1) Historical reason1. Extra-linguistic Facto

21、rsb. Science leads to the change of word meaning.atom: (the Greek atomos), any of the invisible particles be divided into smaller particles ii. Causes of ChangeIII. Meaning Shifts1) Historical reason1. Extra-linguistic Factorsb. Science leads to the change of word meaning.sun:the luminous heavenly body revolving around the eartha star around which the earth revolvesii. Causes of ChangeIII. Meaning Shifts2) Class reason1. Extra-linguistic FactorsLanguage reflects society.churl, hussy, villain, w