Motivation in the language change by.pptx

Semantics

1. TYPES OF MOTIVATION 1. Phonetical motivation implies a direct connection between the phonetic structure of the word and its meaning, e.g. cuckoo denotes a bird whose call is like its name. Other words: moo, mew, buzz, hiss .

2. Deterioration of the meaning implies the acquisition by the word of some derogatory emotive charge, e.g. the word boor was originally to denote ‘a peasant’ and then acquired a derogatory connotational meaning and came to denote ‘a clumsy or ill-bred fellow’.