Semasiology is the study of the meaning of words and the changes they undergo over time. The term was first coined by the 19th century linguist Otto Jespersen, and it has since become an important field of study in linguistics. Semasiology looks at the different ways in which words can be used to express different meanings, and how these meanings can be altered by context, etymology, and usage. This article will explore the history of semasiology, its core concepts, and its application in language research.
The concept of semasiology has its roots in the 19th century, when linguists such as Otto Jespersen began to explore the inner workings of language and its evolution over time. At the time, the field of linguistics was dominated by the works of Ferdinand de Saussure and his theory of the ‘signifier-signified’ relationship. Jespersen argued that language was not simply a matter of signifier and signified, but rather that it had a more complex system of meaning. He argued that words could be used to convey multiple meanings and that these meanings could be altered by context.
At the heart of semasiology is the concept of ‘semantic change.’ This is the idea that a word’s meaning can change over time due to various factors such as context, usage, and etymology. For example, the word ‘nice’ used to mean ‘foolish’ before the 18th century, but now it means ‘pleasant or agreeable.’ This change in meaning is an example of semantic change. Another example of semantic change is the word ‘cool,’ which used to refer to temperature before it was used to mean ‘relaxed or laid back.’
Semasiology is also concerned with the study of synonyms and antonyms. Synonyms are words that have the same meaning, while antonyms are words that have opposite meanings. For example, the words ‘happy’ and ‘cheerful’ are synonyms, while ‘happy’ and ‘sad’ are antonyms. Semasiology studies how synonyms and antonyms are used in language and how they can be used to express different meanings.
Semasiology has many applications in the field of linguistics. For example, it can be used to study the evolution of language over time and to explore the ways in which language is used to convey meaning. It can also be used to analyze the ways in which different words are used in different contexts, and to examine the cultural implications of certain words.
In conclusion, semasiology is an important field of study in linguistics that examines the meaning of words and the changes they undergo over time. It is concerned with semantic change, synonyms, and antonyms, and it has numerous applications in language research.
References
Danesi, M. (2018). The Semiotic Foundations of Linguistics: An Introduction. University of Toronto Press.
Jespersen, O. (1922). Language: Its Nature, Development and Origin. George Allen & Unwin Ltd.
Kundu, A., & Kundu, S. (2019). Synonyms and Antonyms: The Role of Semasiology in Language Research. International Journal of Language & Linguistics, 7(3), 33-42.
O’Grady, W., Dobrovolsky, M., & Katamba, F. (2015). Contemporary Linguistics: An Introduction. Routledge.