英语词汇学第八章课件.ppt

英语词汇学 Chapter 8 Meaning and context 词义和语境 8.1 Types of Context 语境的类型 In a narrow sense, it refers to the words, clauses, sentences in which a word appears. This is known as linguistic context which may cover a paragraph, a whole chapter and even the entire book. 从狭义上讲，语境是指一个词所 在的词群、从句和句群环境，这称为语言语境 , 可 以包括一个段落，一个章节，甚至整个一本书。 In a broad sense, it includes the physical situation as well. This is called extra-linguistic or non-linguistic context, which embraces the people, time, place, and even the whole cultural background. 从广义上讲，语境还包括 物理环境，这称为非语言语境，包括人物、时间、 地点，甚至包括整个文化背景。 8.1.1 Extra-linguistic Context非语言语境 When we talk about context, we usually think of linguistic context , hardly aware of the non- linguistic context situation, which can often exercise greater influence on the meaning of words than we realize. 当我们谈到语境时，我们通常 想到语言语境，很少意识到非语言语境，非 语言语境对词义施加的影响比我们想象的要 大。 8.1.2 linguistic context Linguistic context can be subdivided into lexical context and grammatical context. 语言 语境还可再分为词汇语境和语法语境。 Lexical context This context refers to the words that occur together with the word in question. The meaning of the word is often affected and defined by the neighbouring words. 这种语境是指与讨论中的词一起出现的单 词。这个词的意义经常受邻近词的影响，并被其定 义 。 Grammatical context In some cases, the meanings of a word may be influenced by the structure in which it occurs. This is what we call grammatical context. 在有些情况下，一个词的意义可能 受其所在结构的影响，这便是我们所称的语 法语境。 8.2 The Role of Context: 语境的作用 1.Elimination of Ambiguity. Ambiguity often arises due to polysemy and homonymy. 消除歧义。由于词的多义词和 同音同形异义性，歧义现象经常出现。 Grammatical structure can also lead to ambiguity. 语法结构也会引起歧义 。 8.2.2 Indication of Referents.限定所指 8.2.3 Provision of Clues for Inferring Word-meaning 提供推断词义的线索 In many cases, when a new word (thought to be) appears for the first time, the author generally manages to give hints which might help the readers to grasp the concept or understand the idea. 在很多情形中，当一个新词（所谓的）第一 次出现时，作者一般会想方设法提供一些可 能帮助读者抓住概念或理解观点的暗示。 Context clues vary a great deal but can be summed up as follows: 语境线索虽然 差异很大， 但能被归纳如下： 1) Definition.定义 Often we find that the author gives formal definition immediately after the new term。 我们经常发现作者在新词出现之后马上给出 正式的定义。 2) Explanation. 诠释 If the concept is complicated and must involve technical terms in its definition, the author might explain the idea in simple words. That is, he might make a restatement in known words. 如果概念很复杂，而且在其定义中必须涉及 术语，作者应用简单词汇来解释这个概念。 也就是说，他应用常见的单词来重新陈述 。 3) Example.举例 In some cases, instead of giving a formal definition or explanation, the author may cite an example which is sufficient to throw light on the meaning of the term. 在有些情况下，作者可能会引述一个足以阐 明该词意义的例子，而不是给出一个正式的 定义或解释。 4) Synonymy.同义词关系 Synonyms or synonymous expressions are frequently employed by authors to explain new words. 作家们频繁地使用同义词或同义词组来解释 新词 。 5) Antonymy.反义关系 Contrasting words or statements are also commonly used to explain unknown words. 对立的词或陈述也常被用来解释未知的词 。 6) Hyponymy.上下义关系 Superordinates and subordinates often define and explain each other, thus forming an important context clue. 上义词和下义词经常互相定义和解释，因而 形成了一个重要的语境线索。 7) Relevant details .相关细节 In some contexts, the author provides details relating to the unknown word, such as the functions, characteristics, nature, etc. of the referent. 在有些语境中，作者提供了与未知词相关的 细节，诸如功能、特性、本质等 。 油布长雨衣 8) Word structure.单词结构 The morphemic structure of words, especially compounds and derived words offers clues for inferring the meanings of unknown words. 单词的形态结构，特别是复合词和派生词 为未知词意义的推断提供了线索。