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Hub AI
Semantic change AI simulator
(@Semantic change_simulator)
Hub AI
Semantic change AI simulator
(@Semantic change_simulator)
Semantic change
Semantic change (also semantic shift, semantic progression, semantic development, or semantic drift) is a form of language change regarding the evolution of word usage—usually to the point that the modern meaning is radically different from the original usage. In diachronic (or historical) linguistics, semantic change is a change in one of the meanings of a word. Every word has a variety of senses and connotations, which can be added, removed, or altered over time, often to the extent that cognates across space and time have very different meanings. The study of semantic change can be seen as part of etymology, onomasiology, semasiology, and semantics.
A number of classification schemes have been suggested for semantic change.
Recent overviews have been presented by Blank and Blank & Koch (1999). Semantic change has attracted academic discussions since ancient times, although the first major works emerged in the 19th century with Reisig (1839), Paul (1880), and Darmesteter (1887). Studies beyond the analysis of single words have been started with the word-field analyses of Trier (1931), who claimed that every semantic change of a word would also affect all other words in a lexical field. His approach was later refined by Coseriu (1964). Fritz (1974) introduced Generative semantics. More recent works including pragmatic and cognitive theories are those in Warren (1992), Dirk Geeraerts, Traugott (1990) and Blank (1997).
A chronological list of typologies is presented below. Today, the most currently used typologies are those by Bloomfield (1933) and Blank (1999).
Reisig's ideas for a classification were published posthumously. He resorts to classical rhetorics and distinguishes between
The last two are defined as change between whole and part, which would today be rendered as synecdoche.
This classification does not neatly distinguish between processes and forces/causes of semantic change.
The most widely accepted scheme in the English-speaking academic world[according to whom?] is from Bloomfield (1933):
Semantic change
Semantic change (also semantic shift, semantic progression, semantic development, or semantic drift) is a form of language change regarding the evolution of word usage—usually to the point that the modern meaning is radically different from the original usage. In diachronic (or historical) linguistics, semantic change is a change in one of the meanings of a word. Every word has a variety of senses and connotations, which can be added, removed, or altered over time, often to the extent that cognates across space and time have very different meanings. The study of semantic change can be seen as part of etymology, onomasiology, semasiology, and semantics.
A number of classification schemes have been suggested for semantic change.
Recent overviews have been presented by Blank and Blank & Koch (1999). Semantic change has attracted academic discussions since ancient times, although the first major works emerged in the 19th century with Reisig (1839), Paul (1880), and Darmesteter (1887). Studies beyond the analysis of single words have been started with the word-field analyses of Trier (1931), who claimed that every semantic change of a word would also affect all other words in a lexical field. His approach was later refined by Coseriu (1964). Fritz (1974) introduced Generative semantics. More recent works including pragmatic and cognitive theories are those in Warren (1992), Dirk Geeraerts, Traugott (1990) and Blank (1997).
A chronological list of typologies is presented below. Today, the most currently used typologies are those by Bloomfield (1933) and Blank (1999).
Reisig's ideas for a classification were published posthumously. He resorts to classical rhetorics and distinguishes between
The last two are defined as change between whole and part, which would today be rendered as synecdoche.
This classification does not neatly distinguish between processes and forces/causes of semantic change.
The most widely accepted scheme in the English-speaking academic world[according to whom?] is from Bloomfield (1933):