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Danglli, Leonard 2010: Origin of Synonyms and their Acquisition as Vocabulary
Article 31 in LCPJ
Origin of Synonyms and their Acquisition as Vocabulary
Abstract
This article discusses the phenomenon of lexical synonymy but with special focus
on the etymological roots of synonymic pairs or sets of synonyms. First of all, it
has to be pointed out that the establishment of synonymous relations is due to
a variety of factors, both linguistic and extra-linguistic. This article endeavors to
elaborate on the numerous ways language itself is able to produce a myriad of
synonyms, which are a result of several lexical processes. Moreover, historical,
social or political events usually affect the language of a country and this is
also reflected in the formation of various synonymic patterns. In addition to
presenting a number of synonyms of different origin, differences between them
will be highlighted as well. Most importantly, synonyms can be effectively used
in the learning and teaching process as they organize the lexicon and highlight
the “nice shades of meaning”.
Key words: lexical synonymy, linguistic, extra-linguistic, historical, social, origin.
Introduction
As natural languages are subject to constant evolution, new lexical patterns
may appear or existing ones may undergo modification. Synonymy, although
of a universal character, may vary from language to language in terms of its
synonymic patterns. For instance, although English and Albanian are both
equipped with numerous synonymic sets, different factors may have brought
about the establishment of synonymic relations. Although we use different
synonyms in our speech or writing, we are not always aware of their origin or
the socio-political event that caused the creation of a particular synonymic set.
However, what makes knowledge of this “synonymous etymology” important
is the fact that differences of this kind are usually accompanied by differences
between the members of the synonymic set. Moreover, recognition of these
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differences can be used in the learning process as an effective tool of better
learning and memorizing new words.
Distinction between absolute and relative synonymy
First of all, it is important to distinguish between what most scholars call absolute
synonymy and relative synonymy. As regards the former, the majority of those
who have studied synonymy agree that synonyms which would be identical in
meaning and that could replace each other in every context without the slightest
difference would be either rare according to the optimistic authors, or they would
not exist at all according to the skeptics, whereas Cruse (Cruse, 1986) states that
“language abhors absolute synonyms just as nature abhors the vacuum”. Based
on the argument that absolute synonyms would be unnecessary for language
and would overload it, and working against the principle of language economy,
the differences that could be identified in the synonymy relation are several.
The concept of relative synonymy has been treated by Edmonds (Edmonds,
2002) who defines relative synonyms as “words similar in essential meaning but
potentially different in peripheral traits”
Differences between synonyms
In our search for differences between synonyms, we can mention the collocational,
stylistic, expressive or the denotational variation.
The first one has to do with the possibility of some words to combine with certain
words or be used in fixed idiomatic expressions, making synonyms with identical
denotational meanings not substitute each other in every context. Let us take
as an example the verbs eat and dine in English, which although both express
a certain action, only eat can be used for people and animals, whereas dine can
be used only for people. In order to illustrate how synonyms can be limited in
their use in combination with other words, Murphy (Murphy, 2003) brings the
example of the English words task and job, where only task can be combined
with the adjective daunting. Another interesting example is that of the words
customer (which is mostly used for tactile services, such as the service we receive
at the baker’s, shoe shop, etc) and client (which is mostly used for less tactile
services, for example related to lawyers, architects, etc). However, it must be
highlighted that the difference is not always clearly cut and we can find exclusive
examples, as is the case with banks, which can be referred to by both customer
and client.
Differences between synonyms can also be as follows:
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• stylistic variation (informal – formal): put off - postpone
• expressive variation (feelings - attitudes): statesman- politician
• denotational variation: stare - glimpse.
Where synonyms come from and How origin association contributes to a
faster and more efficient registration of the words in our memory
One of the causes for the differences that may be identified between synonyms
is their derivation form different languages, which may have occurred as a
result of historical, social or political processes, and have consequently had
their effect on the establishment of synonymic relations. Therefore, we can
now come across synonymic pairs or sets in English, where the members of the
pair or the synonymic set derive from different languages. Although at the time
of the borrowing the two or more synonymous words may have had the same
meaning, both denotational and connotational, those synonyms are now usually
accompanied by differences in stylistic effects produced by them, in their use,
etc. English language is now abundant in such synonymic pairs or sets as the
following:
synthesis (Greek) - composition (Latin).
begin (Old English) - commence (French) - initiate (Latin),
empty (Old English) - devoid (French) - vacuous (Latin),
In order to better understand the formation of synonymic pairs or sets, let us
take into consideration different moments throughout the history of the English
language, which have played an important role in its development.
Firstly, a crucial moment for the development of lexical processes was the invasion
of Britain by the Anglo-Saxon tribes (5th and 6th century). The words brought to the
country in that period of time were mainly simple words of everyday usage such
as man, woman, broad, etc. However, these words have served for the formation
of synonymous pairs or sets of synonyms in English language. Thus, man (old
English) – gentleman (the first part of the word is French whereas the second
part derives from Old English). Another example is that of the words broad (Old
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English) and wide (Old English). Nevertheless, although these two words are
called synonyms, they cannot substitute each other in such expressions as give
a broad smile – (*give a wide smile). It is obvious that only broad can be used
in such an expression. The pair holiday (Old English) and vacation (French) also
contains a word of Anglo-Saxon origin, but the latter is mainly used in American
English.
It is worth mentioning the period of Scandinavian invaders from Denmark and
Norway (9th and 10th century), which, in addition to other extra-linguistic aspects,
had its influence on language as well. Thus, we currently have synonymous
pairs with one member deriving from that period, such as the case of scare and
frighten. Some of the words in this group are usually recognized by the presence
of the initial sk combination, such as sky, skin, skill, skirt.
One of the most important historical periods for Britain is that of the Norman
invasion (1066), which had a considerable influence on English language. The
Normans, who used French, brought to Britain the wide use of French language,
in addition to the various changes in certain fields of life. French was mostly
used in such areas as the language of law, administration, army, arts, etc. As a
consequence, the numerous words of French origin served for the establishment
of synonymous relations between them and words which existed before or after
that event. Therefore, English currently provides such synonymous pairs as:
malice (French) - evil (Old English), caution (French) - care (Old English), master
(French) – lord (Old English). We can regard this period as one of the most
important for the development of English language.
We can also come across expressions which consist of a word deriving from
French and the other one of native origin, such as Lord and Master (In the Middle
Ages, a French word was often explained by adding its native synonym). Another
example of this formation is the compound word Courtyard, Court (French) - Yard
(Old English). A social factor reflected in language is the fact that Old English
at that time became the language of rural areas and the ordinary speech. As a
result, a linguistic stratification was established, which was a reflection of the
socio-political situation in the country. This stratification was surely reflected in
language, which in our case is the establishment of synonymy relations between
words of French and Old English etymology (as mentioned above, Old English
usually refers to the language of the Anglo-Saxons).
A considerable part of English vocabulary consists of words of Latin origin. It is
worth mentioning that Latin has contributed to the formation of synonymous
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sets not only in English but Albanian and other languages as well. Some of the
main factors that brought about the acquisition of a considerable number of
Latin words by English are the following:
• Spread of Christianity (this is the reason why a significant proportion of
the vocabulary related to the church is of Latin origin). Most of the Latin
borrowings indicated “persons, objects and ideas associated with church
and religious rituals”, such as priest (Latin-presbyter), nun (Latin-nonna)
• Via French language
• Renaissance (mainly in the areas of art, science and religion). This period
was also marked by a revival of interest in the ancient civilizations of
Greece and Rome and their languages as well. Therefore, a considerable
number of both Latin and Greek words appeared at that time. Renaissance
words were mostly abstract rather than concrete words (e.g. minor, elect).
It is also true that Renaissance was a period of cultural contacts between
European countries and as a consequence a number of French (police,
technique) and Italian (opera) words entered English language. However,
we must emphasize that the words police, technique and opera are all of
Latin origin although their “transit” languages were French and Italian.
• Some Latin words entered the Anglo-Saxon languages through Celtic,
such as street (Latin - strata via). The Germanic tribes owe the knowledge
of some fruits and vegetables which they did not know before to the
Romans, such as pear (Latin-pirum), pepper (Latin-piper)
Let us now provide several cases of synonymic pairs, with one member deriving
from Latin:
bodily (Old English) – corporeal (Latin)
brotherly (Old English) – fraternal (Latin)
According to Ullman (Ullman, 1967), synonyms of Latin origin often have a
bookish or scientific nature, in contrast to native words which are mainly simpler
and of everyday use.
However, the diversity of sources from which English has acquired words is made
greater with Greek language, which is mostly part of the language of philosophy
or other sciences. There are also Greek words which have entered English through
Latin. For example, the word bishop, although has become part of English via
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Latin, the latter has taken it from Old Greek (“episkopos- overseer”). English
offers synonymic pairs, with one member deriving from Latin and the other from
Greek, such as the following: stage (Latin) – phase (Greek).
However, English vocabulary has been enriched with words from different
languages of the world due to various historical factors. Some of these borrowed
words derive from the following languages:
• Dutch (hoist)
• American Indian (skunk)
• Australian aborigines (kangaroo)
• Indian (bungalow)
• Arabic (average)
• Gaelic (slogan)
Albanian language also has synonymic pairs or sets where the members of the
synonymic pair or set derive from different languages. We can identify words of
different origin, such as Turkish (Ottoman Empire), Greek, Slavic, Latin, English,
etc:
ndikim – influencë (Latin)
dritare- penxhere (Turkish)
orë (Latin) – sahat (Turkish)
However, the words of the synonymic pair or set are accompanied by different
connotations, such as the case of ushtar - nizam, mësues - dhaskal, where the
second member of the pair convey not very positive connotations to the reader.
They are often used in literature to produce contrast effect or to characterize
people.
As mentioned above, words of different origin in English are usually differentiated
between them. Native words are usually spontaneous, warm, and informal;
Greek or Latin words are generally more scientific or abstract, whereas French
ones stay in the middle or in some cases are more literary.
As vocabulary is an important aspect of language teaching and learning, lexical
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relations such as synonymy can be used by both teachers and learners as very
useful means of learning, recording and enriching vocabulary. Taking into
consideration the commonly agreed opinion that words are better learned in
“association with other words” and “organized in groups”, synonymy seems to
fulfill both of these requirements.
First of all, studying words in association with their synonyms makes students
better understand the meaning of the word as they get to know what is similar or
different between them. Moreover, they better remember newly learned words
when associating them with previously learned synonyms. Most importantly,
associating the word with a certain historical, social or political event makes
it more easily “identifiable” and therefore more easily memorized. Wallace
(Wallace, 1982) paid attention to association when he declared that “the word
must be learned in such a way as to know what it means, remember it, associate
it with an object or concept, be used correctly, be pronounced and spelled, be
collocated with other words correctly, be used at the proper level of formality
and its connotations must be known”.
Furthermore, the etymology of a word is sometimes key to recognizing the
“peripheral traits” introduced in the definition of Edmonds above, and as a
consequence, it serves for a better understanding of such components of meaning
as feelings or attitudes associated with a word (connotations). Being aware of the
fact that assassinate, in contrast to murder, is associated with “political, religious
or ideological reasons” (John Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln were assassinated)
makes the registration process in the mind of learners faster and more efficient.
Moreover, associating bazaar and raki to Persia and Ottoman Turkey respectively
is highly likely to enhance the learning process of these words.
Familiarity with the etymology of synonyms and recognition of the associations
related to it makes language users more accurate in expressing their ideas,
attitudes, etc. Knowing the roots of words (a considerable number of which are
either Greek or Latin) is also important for grasping the meaning of words before
looking them up in the dictionary. For example, once we get to know the meaning
of philo (love), it is easier for us to grasp the meaning and then memorize other
words having this root (philosophy, philology, philanthropy).
Conclusions
We can now come to the conclusion that the presence of synonymic pairs or
sets in a language is a result of both linguistic and extra-linguistic processes,
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such as historical, social or political events. As natural languages usually reflect
the characteristics of the period of time they were used in, they also reflect
the various changes or modifications they may undergo. One very “sensitive”
element of language is synonymy, which best reflects the occurrence of such
historical events as invasions, development of science or literature, trade, etc. It
should be emphasized that extra-linguistic factors play an important role in the
formation of synonyms. Therefore, historical, social, cultural or political factors
may serve as potential factors of establishing synonymy relations between
words of different etymologies. Recognizing differences in etymology and
therefore creating different associations in students’ minds makes synonymy an
efficient tool of acquiring new vocabulary faster and more efficiently. It is very
important to emphasize the fact that associating a word with its etymological
roots, an event or period of time in history, helps learn it faster and use it more
accurately.
Bibliography
Edmonds, P, Hirst, G, Near-Synonymy and Lexical Choice, University of Toronto,
2002.
Hurford, J, Heasley, B, Smith, Michael, Semantics: a coursebook, Cambridge
University press, 2007.
Islamaj, Sh,, Çështje të Sinonimisë në Gjuhën Shqipe, Instituti Albanalogjik i
Prishtinës, 1985.
Murphy, Semantic Relations and the Lexicon: Antonymy, Synonymy and other
Paradigms, Cambridge University Press, 2003.
Roy, H, Synonymy and Linguistic Analysis, Basil Blackwell, Oxford, 1973.
Ullmann, S, Semantics, An Introduction to the Science of Meaning, Basil Blackwell,
Oxford, 1967.
Wallace, Michael, Teaching Vocabulary, Heinemann Educational Books, 1982.
The total number of words is 2689
© LCPJ Publishing 2010 by Leonard Danglli
Leonard Danglli, ongoing PhD, is a full-time lecturer at the Faculty of Foreign
Languages, University of Tirana, Albania. As a Master in Linguistics his interests
include linguistics and methodology.
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