Muhammad Sajid us SalamMuhammad Sajid us SalamMphil LinguisticsMphil LinguisticsThe Islamia University BahawalpurThe Islamia University Bahawalpurcupidlucid@gmail.comcupidlucid@gmail.com

LEXICAL RELATIONS LEXICAL RELATIONS Words are not only the ‘containers’ or as fulfilling Words are not only the ‘containers’ or as fulfilling

‘roles’. They can also have ‘relationships’. We ‘roles’. They can also have ‘relationships’. We describe the meanings of words in terms of their describe the meanings of words in terms of their relationships.relationships.

For example :if we are asked the meanings of word For example :if we are asked the meanings of word ‘conceal’ we might reply it is same as ‘hide’.‘conceal’ we might reply it is same as ‘hide’.

The meaning of ‘shallow’ as ‘the opposite of deep’.The meaning of ‘shallow’ as ‘the opposite of deep’. The meaning of ‘daffodil’ as ‘it is a kind of flower’.The meaning of ‘daffodil’ as ‘it is a kind of flower’. In doing so we are characterizing the meaning of a In doing so we are characterizing the meaning of a

word not in terms of component features, but in word not in terms of component features, but in terms of relationship to other words. terms of relationship to other words.

The types of lexical relationsThe types of lexical relations SYNONYMYSYNONYMY Synonyms are two or more forms with Synonyms are two or more forms with

very closely related meanings, which are often, very closely related meanings, which are often, but not always, intersubstitutable in sentences. but not always, intersubstitutable in sentences.

For example: broad=wide, hide=conceal, For example: broad=wide, hide=conceal, almost=nearly, cab=taxi, liberty=freedom, almost=nearly, cab=taxi, liberty=freedom,

answer=reply. [e.g. of synonyms are in pairs]answer=reply. [e.g. of synonyms are in pairs] The idea of ‘sameness of meaning’ used in The idea of ‘sameness of meaning’ used in

discussing synonymy is not necessarily ‘total discussing synonymy is not necessarily ‘total sameness’ . sameness’ .

For example: Cathy had only one ‘answer’ For example: Cathy had only one ‘answer’ correct in the test. Its near synonymy would correct in the test. Its near synonymy would ‘reply’ would sound odd. ‘reply’ would sound odd.

ANTONYMYANTONYMY Two forms with opposite meanings are called Two forms with opposite meanings are called

antonyms. antonyms. For example: quick=slow, big=small, long=short, For example: quick=slow, big=small, long=short,

rich=poor, happy=sad, hot=cold, old=young, rich=poor, happy=sad, hot=cold, old=young, male=female, true=false, alive=dead. male=female, true=false, alive=dead.

Antonyms are divided into two parts. Antonyms are divided into two parts. Gradable antonyms: such as the pair big=small, Gradable antonyms: such as the pair big=small,

can be used in comparative constructions like can be used in comparative constructions like bigger than =smaller than.bigger than =smaller than.

Negative of one member of the gradable pair Negative of one member of the gradable pair does not necessarily imply the other. For does not necessarily imply the other. For example: Dog is not old, it does not mean that example: Dog is not old, it does not mean that dog is young. dog is young.

Non-gradable Antonyms: Such antonyms Non-gradable Antonyms: Such antonyms have “complementary pairs, have “complementary pairs, comparative constructions and negative comparative constructions and negative of one member does imply the other.of one member does imply the other.

For example : The person is not dead, For example : The person is not dead, does indeed mean that person is live.does indeed mean that person is live.

Reversives: It actually means to reverse. Reversives: It actually means to reverse. For example: Tie= untie, enter= exit, For example: Tie= untie, enter= exit, pack= unpack, lengthen= shorten, pack= unpack, lengthen= shorten, raise= lower and dress= undress. raise= lower and dress= undress.

HYPONYMYHYPONYMY When the meaning of one form is included in When the meaning of one form is included in

the meaning of another, the relationship is the meaning of another, the relationship is described as hyponym. For example: described as hyponym. For example: Daffodil= Flower, dog= animal, poodle= dog, Daffodil= Flower, dog= animal, poodle= dog, carrot= vegetable, banyan= tree.carrot= vegetable, banyan= tree.

The concept of “inclusion’ involved here.The concept of “inclusion’ involved here. For example: If any object is a daffodil, then it For example: If any object is a daffodil, then it

is necessary a flower, so the meaning of is necessary a flower, so the meaning of flower is included in the meaning of daffodil. flower is included in the meaning of daffodil. Daffodil is hyponym of a flower.Daffodil is hyponym of a flower.

We look at the meaning of words in some type We look at the meaning of words in some type of hierarchical relationship. (Tree-Diagram). of hierarchical relationship. (Tree-Diagram).