Ferdinand de Saussure called the relationship between a word and other accompanying words a syntagmatic relation, and the relationship between a word and related but not-occurring words, an associative relationship. For the latter a new term was somewhat later proposed by Hjelmslev – a paradigmatic relation-ship, which is universally preferred in modern linguistics.
Paradigmatic (vertical) relations are those that bind the elements of a group or a class of lexemes – “sets of intersubstitutable elements” (Lyons 2002:96) – from paradigm of a single world to whole lexical fields. Lexical items so related stand in opposition or contrast to each other and help to define the meaning of each other.
Syntagmatic (horizontal) relations between words are “the relations that hold among elements that can occur in combination with one another, in well-formed syntagms”. (Lyons 2002:96) They are linear and simultaneous in the stream of speech or writing and define the rules of combining smaller units of any level of a language into bigger ones and compatibility of the former. They characterise the formation of syntagms as a language sequence.
I have chosen to make syntagmatic relations between words the topic of this work because in my opinion this relationship is the most important part of linguistics as it is namely syntagmatics that describes and explains the functioning of words in speech and writing, i.e. in the reality of a language. It is certainly one of the most important aspects of each language as far as its learners are concerned as it is vital for those who learn a language to learn how the words collocate with each other alongside their meanings and paradigms.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Approaches to syntagmatic relations
2.1. Katz/ Fodor Model
2.2. Weinreich Model
2.3. Collocation
3. Comparison with Corpus
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this work is to explore syntagmatic relations—the horizontal, linear connections between words in speech and writing—and to evaluate their significance in defining lexical meaning within the field of semantics. By examining various linguistic frameworks, the study aims to illustrate how word compatibility, collocation, and semantic prosody function in real-world language use.
- Theoretical models of syntagmatic relations (Katz/Fodor vs. Weinreich).
- The role of collocations and colligations in determining word sense.
- Application of corpus data to analyze synonym usage.
- Examination of semantic prosody and prosodic clashes.
- The importance of syntagmatic analysis for modern lexicography.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Introduction
Ferdinand de Saussure called the relationship between a word and other accompanying words a syntagmatic relation, and the relationship between a word and related but not-occurring words, an associative relationship. For the latter a new term was somewhat later proposed by Hjelmslev – a paradigmatic relation-ship, which is universally preferred in modern linguistics.
Paradigmatic (vertical) relations are those that bind the elements of a group or a class of lexemes – “sets of intersubstitutable elements” (Lyons 2002:96) – from paradigm of a single world to whole lexical fields. Lexical items so related stand in opposition or contrast to each other and help to define the meaning of each other.
Syntagmatic (horizontal) relations between words are “the relations that hold among elements that can occur in combination with one another, in well-formed syntagms”. (Lyons 2002:96) They are linear and simultaneous in the stream of speech or writing and define the rules of combining smaller units of any level of a language into bigger ones and compatibility of the former. They characterise the formation of syntagms as a language sequence.
I have chosen to make syntagmatic relations between words the topic of this work because in my opinion this relationship is the most important part of linguistics as it is namely syntagmatics that describes and explains the functioning of words in speech and writing, i.e. in the reality of a language. It is certainly one of the most important aspects of each language as far as its learners are concerned as it is vital for those who learn a language to learn how the words collocate with each other alongside their meanings and paradigms.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Defines syntagmatic versus paradigmatic relations and establishes the scope of the study, emphasizing the importance of syntagmatics in understanding language functioning.
2. Approaches to syntagmatic relations: Examines theoretical frameworks, specifically comparing the Katz/Fodor model of selection restrictions with the Weinreich model of transfer features and the concept of collocation.
3. Comparison with Corpus: Demonstrates the practical application of corpus linguistics by analyzing and comparing the collocational patterns and semantic prosodies of the synonyms "magnificent" and "splendid."
4. Conclusion: Summarizes the study’s findings, highlighting the enduring value of Firth's observation that "we know a word by the company it keeps" and the importance of corpus-based data for modern lexicography.
Keywords
Syntagmatic relations, Paradigmatic relations, Linguistics, Semantics, Katz/Fodor Model, Weinreich Model, Collocation, Colligations, Corpus linguistics, Semantic preferences, Semantic prosody, Prosodic clash, Lexicography, Selection restrictions, Synonymy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the nature of syntagmatic relations—the rules and patterns that govern how words combine with one another in linear language sequences—and how these relations shape word meaning.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The work covers theoretical linguistic models, the function of collocations, the utility of corpus data in identifying usage patterns, and the phenomenon of semantic prosody, where words acquire emotional or evaluative connotations based on their co-occurring neighbors.
What is the main objective of this study?
The goal is to demonstrate that syntagmatics is a crucial aspect of linguistics, as it explains the functional reality of how words are used in speech and writing, which is essential for language learners and lexicographers.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses a comparative theoretical approach, followed by a corpus-based analysis using the British National Corpus to investigate the syntactic and collocational preferences of the synonyms "magnificent" and "splendid."
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body contrasts the Katz/Fodor and Weinreich models, defines the concepts of collocation and semantic prosody, and presents a detailed empirical analysis comparing two specific adjectives using 100 sample sentences.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include syntagmatic relations, collocation, semantic prosody, corpus linguistics, selection restrictions, transfer features, and lexicography.
How does the author define a "prosodic clash"?
A prosodic clash occurs when the semantic evaluations of words within a sentence contradict each other—for instance, when a word with a positive meaning is coupled with a head noun carrying a negative connotation, often resulting in irony.
What conclusion is drawn regarding the synonyms "magnificent" and "splendid"?
The analysis reveals that while the two synonyms share similar syntactic structures, their collocational ranges differ; "magnificent" tends to focus on outward appearance, while "splendid" is more versatile, covering a wider array of contexts including taste and social perception.
- Quote paper
- Olga Nikitina (Author), 2007, Lexical meaning - Syntagmatic relations, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/69807
