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In:Motivation in Language: A cognitive perspective
Edited by Grzegorz Drożdż and Barbara Taraszka-Drożdż
[Human Cognitive Processing 83] 2027
► pp. 42–62

Chapter 2
Towards an onomasiological explanation of semantic change

 | KU Leuven
This content is being prepared for publication; it may be subject to changes.
Abstract
The chapter suggests that an onomasiological perspective on the explanation of changes of word meaning is more promising than the customary semasiological perspective. It identifies the restrictions on a semasiological point of view, explores the arguments in favor of an onomasiological turn, and systematically charts the various factors that could play an explanatory role in such a perspective. At the same time, it points out that an onomasiological take on diachronic semantic change is complicated by the number and the variety of the factors that interact as causes of or influences on onomasiological change.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Semasiology and onomasiology
  • 3.Semasiological explanations: Usage-based habituation
  • 4.Semasiological explanations: Regularities of change
  • 5.The case for diachronic onomasiology
  • 6.The structure of diachronic onomasiology: Types of reorganization
  • 7.The structure of diachronic onomasiology: Influences on reorganizations
  • 8.Prospects for an explanatory diachronic onomasiology
  • Author queries
  • References
References (26)
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