SYNONYMS

1. What are synonyms?

Synonyms are words belonging to the same part of speech an possessing one ore more identical or nearly identical denotational meanings, interchangeable in some contexts.

2. What is duality or the dual characteristic of synonyms?

By duality or the dual characteristic of synonyms we mean synonyms are both the same and different. They are the same in that they often share denotative component and they are different in that their connotative component are usually different.

3. What are the functions of synonyms?

- Synonyms add precision to ach detail of description and show how the correct choice of a word from a group of synonyms may colour the whole text.

- The principle function of synonyms is to represent the same phenomenon in different aspects, shades and variations.

- Synonyms are used for stylistic purpose.

4. Why can synonyms be said to be one of the most expressive means of language?

Synonyms can be said to be one of the most expressive means of language because they represent the same phenomenon in different aspects, shades and variations and add precision to each detail of description and show how the correct choice of a word from a group of synonyms may colour the whole text. That's why synonyms are used for stylistic purpose.

5. What are criteria of synonymy?

- Notional criterion: synonyms are words of the same category of parts of speech conveying the same notion but different either in shades of meaning or in stylistic characteristic.

- Semantic criterion: synonyms are words with the same denotation, or the same denotative component, but different in connotations, or in connotative components.

- Criterion of interchangeability: synonyms are words which are interchangeable at least in some contexts without any considerable alteration in denotative meaning.

6. According to Vinogradov, how many types can synonyms be classified into?

3 types:

- Ideographic (words conveying the same notion but differing in shades of meaning)

Eg; create - manufacture, stroll - trot, big

- Stylistic(differing in stylistic characteristic)

Eg: begin - commence, build - construct

- Absolute (coinciding in all their shades of meaning and in all their stylistic characteristics)

Eg: start - begin, end - finish, pants - trousers

7. What is modern approach to be classification of synonyms based on?

A more modern and a more effective approach to the classification of synonyms may be based on the definition describing synonyms as words differing in connotation.

8. What is dominant synonym?

The dominant synonym is a central word of a group of synonyms expressing the notion common to all synonyms of the group in the most general way, without contributing any additional information as the manner, intensity, duration or any attending feature of the referent.