POLYSEMY IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Keywords:
polysemy,semantics,lexical meaning,context,English language,linguistics.Abstract
Polysemy,the phenomenon where a single word possesses multiple related meanings,is a central topic in linguistic studies,particularly in semantics and lexical analysis. This paper explores the nature of polysemy in the English language,examining its origins,structural characteristics,and role of communication. The study also discusses how context determines meaning and how polysemy affects translation,language teaching,and lexicography. By analyzing theoretical frameworks and practical examples,this paper provides an overview of how polysemy reflects the flexibility and richness of the English lexicon.
References
Cruse,D.A.(2000). Meaning in language: An introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics. Oxford University Press.
Lyons, J.(1977). Semantics. Cambridge University Press.
Murphy,M. L .Lexical meaning Cambridge University Press.
Oxford English Dictionary (OED online).
Cambridge English Corpus.(2023).
Riemer, N.(2010). Introducing Semantics. Cambridge University Press.
Evans, V,&Green, M.(2006). COGNITIVE Lingiustics: An introduction. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
