Polysemy is polysemy. Some words have only one lexical meaning. They are called unambiguous. 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 spoken language. But to understand the semantic connotation of a particular token is possible only in context. The ambiguity of the word "home" is a vivid example of a phenomenon that in linguistics has the name "polysemy". Examples:
- The house is located on the river bank (building, building).
- The house was run by a housekeeper (household).
- Since then they have been friends of houses (families).
In some cases, in order to clarify the connotation of meaning, a rather narrow context is enough. It is only necessary to recall any common adjective in order to understand what polysemy is. Examples are found in both written and oral speech.
The adjective “silent” has many meanings. Examples:
- The vocalist sang in a low voice.
- The child was quiet.
- The driver did not like the quiet ride.
- That day was sunny, calm weather.
- Through a thin wall, one could hear her quiet breath.
Even a small context makes it possible to clarify the meaning of a word. In each of the above examples, the adjective "quiet" can be replaced by another. Examples:
- a quiet (low) voice;
- quiet (calm) disposition;
- quiet (calm) weather.
Polysemy is the set of meanings inherent in the same token. 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
The meanings of a word are related to each other. They form a hierarchical semantic system. Depending on what kind of relationship combines the derived values ​​from the main one, we can distinguish the types of polysemy. There are three of them.
Radial polysemy is a phenomenon in which each of the derived values ​​has a connection with the main one. For example: cherry orchard, cherry jam, cherry blossom.
With chain polysemy, each of the values ​​is associated with the previous one. Examples:
- Right bank.
- Right party.
- Right movement.
A feature of mixed polysemy is the combination of signs.
Metaphor
Polysemy in Russian is a phenomenon not only lexical, but also stylistic. Various figurative expressions are also derived values ​​of one or another token. Therefore, three types of polysemy can be distinguished: metaphor, metonymy, synecdoch.
In the first case, we are talking about transferring the name from one subject or phenomenon to another. The reason for this transfer are the similarities of completely different signs.
Poetry is rich in metaphors. Yesenin has the phrase "Spit, the wind, with armfuls of leaves." The verb “spit” as part of the expression “spit in the soul” is extremely common in poetry by other authors. Both in the first and in the second case, metaphorization takes place. In a journalistic or scientific text, the verb “spit” can be used only in the sense that is spoken of in the explanatory dictionary, that is, in the main meaning. And Dahl explains this concept as "expelling saliva from the mouth by force of air."
Metonymy
There are other ways to create a new meaning. Metonymy - transferring the name of one subject to another based on some similarities. Examples:
- She was mean and suspicious, and therefore she did not hold silverware in the room, but in the bedroom, under the mattress.
- Last year at an international competition, silver went to a performer from Sweden.
- Silver is a metal known to people in ancient times.
With metonymy, objects or phenomena that are united by one name have a common connection. In the texts there are completely diverse associations. 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
This way of transferring the value is based on replacing the plural with the single. Nikolai Gogol, for example, in the poem Dead Souls discusses the national characteristics of the Russian population. But at the same time he says: “Such is the Russian man ...”. At the same time, he expresses an opinion that has developed in the process of observing various people who show servility to high ranks and ranks.
Mistakes
The misuse of polysemous words leads to a distortion of the meaning of the whole sentence. And sometimes even to inappropriate comism. One of the commentators, noting the outstanding results of the athlete who won first place in the shooting, said: "She shot all the men." Another television journalist, explaining the course of the chess game, reduced the expression “development of pieces”, resulting in a rather ambiguous phrase: “Gaprindashvili is behind her rival in development”.
The author, using polysemy, must take care of the accuracy of his formulations. Otherwise, readers will interpret the text as they please. For example: "High school students visited the Art Museum and brought out the most valuable and interesting from there."