Synonyms. A Semantic Study of Appointment and Engagement

A Semantic Study of Appointment and Engagement

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Drama, Anthologies
Cover of the book Synonyms. A Semantic Study of Appointment and Engagement by Franziska Hofmann, GRIN Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Franziska Hofmann ISBN: 9783640431403
Publisher: GRIN Publishing Publication: September 22, 2009
Imprint: GRIN Publishing Language: English
Author: Franziska Hofmann
ISBN: 9783640431403
Publisher: GRIN Publishing
Publication: September 22, 2009
Imprint: GRIN Publishing
Language: English

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 2,7, University of Leipzig, language: English, abstract: (1)I´m on my way to an engagement. (Merriam-Webster 1984: 289) (2)I´m on my way to an appointment. (Merriam-Webster 1984: 290) In most of the existing languages we can find words, which sound different but have identical meanings. These words are called synonyms. The word synonym comes from Ancient Greek syn meaning 'with' and onoma meaning 'name'. But can two words really have exactly the same meaning? Fromkin et al. does not agree with this definition, he states that no two words ever have exactly the same meaning even if they are synonyms (2003:181). Therefore synonyms are words carrying nearly similar meanings and whose usage is bound to the context. This means that one has to be careful in choosing a word; it might not carry the same meaning as the writer intended. Translation often causes irritation about which of the words fits better in a specific sentence. Especially the non-native speakers have a lot of problems in deciding which of the words is more suitable to use in a certain context and they have to face the question if any one of these words is suitable in any context. But also native speaker are not always sure about the correct use of two synonymous words. Appointment and engagement are two words with a similar sense to the common mind and share many semantic properties. In the thesaurus both words are said to be synonymous and when applying the definition above, we may agree with it. But do appointment and engagement really have exactly the same meaning? In this essay I want to work out the differences and similarities of the words appointment and engagement and if they can be considered synonymous anyway. Therefore I will have a closer look at their definition in different dictionaries and a questionnaire distributed to native speakers will be analyzed. Furthermore, a comparative analysis will be brought out, based on a corpus study of the two nouns. This analysis will be limited to their frequency and their collocates. Throughout the essay both words will be italicized and the complete results can be found in the appendix.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 2,7, University of Leipzig, language: English, abstract: (1)I´m on my way to an engagement. (Merriam-Webster 1984: 289) (2)I´m on my way to an appointment. (Merriam-Webster 1984: 290) In most of the existing languages we can find words, which sound different but have identical meanings. These words are called synonyms. The word synonym comes from Ancient Greek syn meaning 'with' and onoma meaning 'name'. But can two words really have exactly the same meaning? Fromkin et al. does not agree with this definition, he states that no two words ever have exactly the same meaning even if they are synonyms (2003:181). Therefore synonyms are words carrying nearly similar meanings and whose usage is bound to the context. This means that one has to be careful in choosing a word; it might not carry the same meaning as the writer intended. Translation often causes irritation about which of the words fits better in a specific sentence. Especially the non-native speakers have a lot of problems in deciding which of the words is more suitable to use in a certain context and they have to face the question if any one of these words is suitable in any context. But also native speaker are not always sure about the correct use of two synonymous words. Appointment and engagement are two words with a similar sense to the common mind and share many semantic properties. In the thesaurus both words are said to be synonymous and when applying the definition above, we may agree with it. But do appointment and engagement really have exactly the same meaning? In this essay I want to work out the differences and similarities of the words appointment and engagement and if they can be considered synonymous anyway. Therefore I will have a closer look at their definition in different dictionaries and a questionnaire distributed to native speakers will be analyzed. Furthermore, a comparative analysis will be brought out, based on a corpus study of the two nouns. This analysis will be limited to their frequency and their collocates. Throughout the essay both words will be italicized and the complete results can be found in the appendix.

More books from GRIN Publishing

Cover of the book Compare and contrast male and female language usage by Franziska Hofmann
Cover of the book Hemingway and Stein. Gertrude Stein's Influence on Ernest Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls by Franziska Hofmann
Cover of the book A structural clash of perspectives. Irreconcilable contradictions in Tom Stoppard's drama 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead' by Franziska Hofmann
Cover of the book The depiction of women in Sandra Cisneros novel 'The House On Mango Street' by Franziska Hofmann
Cover of the book Male bonding in David Rabe's 'Hurlyburly' by Franziska Hofmann
Cover of the book Joseph Stalin's Life and Political Power. The Man and the Symbol by Franziska Hofmann
Cover of the book Stylistic Analysis of Robert Frost's 'The Secret Sits' and William Shakespeare's 'Sonnet 18' by Franziska Hofmann
Cover of the book Pfalzgalerie Kaiserslautern. Der deutsche Impressionismus am Beispiel Max Slevogt by Franziska Hofmann
Cover of the book A Brief Introduction to the UK Sponsorship Industry by Franziska Hofmann
Cover of the book Valuation of high growth companies by Franziska Hofmann
Cover of the book Online advertising as transnational communication by Franziska Hofmann
Cover of the book 'Bare passives' and 'relative clauses' in be-passive form as modifiers by Franziska Hofmann
Cover of the book Decreasing the phobia of English in secondary level education by Franziska Hofmann
Cover of the book Zum Einfluss neuer Cleavages auf die Akkommodation islamischer Immigranten in Westeuropa by Franziska Hofmann
Cover of the book A critical discussion of African Feminism as an exponent of Feminist Theory by Franziska Hofmann
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy