2. Definition of HomonymyDefinition of Homonymy
GreekGreek homonymous – homos “the same”
and onoma “name”
Two or more words identical in sound form
and spelling, or, at least, in one of these
aspects, but different in meaning,
distribution and (in many cases) in origin
are called homonyms
3. Types of homonymsTypes of homonyms
Since there are several “types” of homonyms (e.g., same spelling but different
pronunciation, same pronunciation but different spelling, same spelling and
same pronunciation), further categorization is needed. We can say that homonyms
represent the big category, from which 3 sub-categories emerge:
Homophones: two or more words that share the same pronunciation but have
different meanings. They may or may not be spelled on the same way.
Examples: write and right, desert (to abandon) and desert (a thing deserved)
Homographs: homonyms that share the same spelling. They may or may not
have the same pronunciation.
Examples: present (a gift) and present (to introduce), row (argument) and row
(propel with oars)
Heteronyms: those are homonyms that share the same spelling but have
different pronunciations. That is, they are homographs which are not
homophones.
Example: desert (to abandon) and desert (arid region)
4. Sources of Homonymy
1.1. Convergent development ofConvergent development of
sound formsound form
2.2. Divergent meaningDivergent meaning
developmentdevelopment
5. Convergent development ofConvergent development of
sound form (phonetic changes)sound form (phonetic changes)
two or more words which weretwo or more words which were
pronounced differently at an earlier datepronounced differently at an earlier date
develop identical sound formsdevelop identical sound forms
e.g. OEe.g. OE зemane “common”
mean
OEOE manen “think”
6. Divergent semantic developmentDivergent semantic development
(split polysemy)(split polysemy)
different meanings of the samedifferent meanings of the same
word move so far away from eachword move so far away from each
other that they come to beother that they come to be
regarded as two separate unitsregarded as two separate units
chestchest “large box”“large box”
e.g. OEe.g. OE cestcest
chestchest “part of human“part of human
body”body”
7. Other Sources of Homonymy
shorteningshortening
e.g. fan – “an implement for waving lightly to
produce a cool current of air”
fan fanatic
sound-imitation
e.g. bang – “a loud, sudden, explosive sound
bang – “a fringe of hair combed over the
forehead”
8. Other Sources of Homonymy
borrowingsborrowings
e.g. bank – “a shore” – a native word
bank – “a financial institution” - an
Italian borrowing
9. Synonyms
words of the same languagewords of the same language
belong to the same part of speechbelong to the same part of speech
possess one or more identical or nearlypossess one or more identical or nearly
identicalidentical denotationaldenotational meaningsmeanings
interchangeable, at least in some contextsinterchangeable, at least in some contexts
10. Sources of Synonyms
synonymic attraction - thethe referent which
is very popular attracts a large number of
synonyms
e.g.e.g.
variants and dialects of English
e.g. lass (Scottish) - girl (English)
long-distance call (USA) – trunk call
(British)
11. Sources of Synonyms
word-building
e.g.e.g. lablab laboratorylaboratory –– shortening
cheery - cheerful affixation
anxiety – anxiousness
phrasal verbs and set expressions
e.g. to continue – to go on
to smoke – to have a smoke
12. Sources of Synonyms
euphemisms – a shift of unpleasant
meaning of a word to a more pleasant or
milder one
e.g. drunk – merry
naked – in one’s birthday suit
13. Antonyms
belong to the same part speech
belong to the same semantic field
identical in style
nearly identical in distribution
denotational meanings render
contradictory or contrary notions
do not differ stylistically, in emotional
colouring
14. Classification of Antonyms
1. absolute or root antonyms (contrary
notions)
e.g. to love – to hate
2. derivational antonyms (express
contradictory notions)
formed with negative prefixes (un-, non-,
dis-)
e.g. to please – to displease
antonymous suffixes –ful and –less
e.g. painful - painless
