Polysemy is polysemy. Some words have only one lexical meaning. They are called unique. But most words in Russian have several meanings. Therefore, they are called multi-valued.
Definition
Polysemy is a lexical phenomenon that is realized in written or oral speech. But to understand the semantic connotation of a particular lexeme is possible only in the context. The ambiguity of the word "house" is a vivid example of a phenomenon that in linguistics is called "polysemy". Examples:
- The house is located on the river bank (building, building).
- The housekeeper ran the house.
- They have been house (family) friends ever since.
In some cases, a narrow context is sufficient to clarify the connotation of the meaning. You just need to remember any common adjective to understand what polysemy is. Examples are found in both written and spoken language.
The adjective "quiet" has many meanings. Examples:
- The vocalist sang in a low voice.
- The child had a quiet disposition.
- The driver is notliked the quiet ride.
- It was sunny and calm that day.
- You could hear her soft breathing through the thin wall.
Even a little context helps to clarify the meaning of the word. In each of the above examples, the adjective "quiet" can be replaced by another. Examples:
- quiet (quiet) voice;
- quiet (calm) disposition;
- quiet (calm) weather.
Polysemy is a set of meanings inherent in the same lexeme. One of the meanings (the one that is always indicated first in the explanatory dictionary) is considered to be the main one. Others are derivatives.
Types
Meanings of this or that word are connected with each other. They form a hierarchical semantic system. Depending on what connection unites derived meanings from the main one, types of polysemy can also be distinguished. There are three in total.
Radial polysemy is a phenomenon in which each of the derived meanings has a connection with the main one. For example: cherry orchard, cherry jam, cherry blossom.
In chain polysemy, each of the meanings is connected with the previous one. Examples:
- Right Bank.
- Right party.
- Right movement.
A feature of mixed polysemy is the combination of features.
Metaphor
Polysemy in Russian is not only a lexical phenomenon, but also a stylistic one. Various figurative expressions are also derived meanings of a particular lexeme. BUTtherefore, three types of polysemy can be distinguished: metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche.
In the first case, we are talking about transferring the name from one object or phenomenon to another. The reason for this transfer is the similarities of completely different features.
Poetry is rich in metaphors. Yesenin has the phrase "Spit, wind, with armfuls of leaves." The verb "spit" as part of the expression "spit in the soul" is extremely common in the poetry of other authors. Both in the first and in the second case metaphorization takes place. In a journalistic or scientific text, the verb "spit" can only be used in the sense that is mentioned in the explanatory dictionary, that is, in the main meaning. And Dahl explains this concept as “throwing saliva out of the mouth by the force of air.”
Metonymy
There are other ways to create a new value. Metonymy is the transfer of the name of one object to another based on some similarity. Examples:
- She was stingy and suspicious, and therefore kept the silverware not in the room, but in the bedroom, under the mattress.
- Last year, a Swedish performer won silver at the international competition.
- Silver is a metal known to people since ancient times.
With metonymy, objects or phenomena that are united by one name have a common connection. There are quite a variety of associations in the texts. Sometimes, to refer to a large number of people, they call the city in which they are located. For example: “Moscow said goodbye to the great artist.”
Synecdoche
Suchthe method of transferring meaning is based on replacing the plural with the singular. Nikolai Gogol, for example, in the poem "Dead Souls" talks about the national characteristics of the population of Russia. But at the same time he says, "That's the way a Russian person is…". At the same time, he expresses the opinion that has developed in the process of observing various people who show subservience to high ranks and ranks.
Mistakes
Incorrect use of polysemantic words leads to a distortion of the meaning of the entire sentence. And sometimes even to inappropriate comedy. One of the commentators, noting the outstanding results of the athlete who won first place in shooting, said: "She shot all the men." Another television journalist, explaining the course of a chess game, shortened the expression “development of pieces”, resulting in a rather ambiguous phrase: “Gaprindashvili lagged behind her rival in development.”
The author, using polysemy, must take care of the accuracy of his wording. Otherwise, readers will interpret the text as they please. For example: “High school students visited the Art Museum and took out the most valuable and interesting things from there.”
