(1) I´m on my way to an engagement. (Merriam-Webster 1984: 289)
(2) I´m on my way to an appointment. (Merriam-Webster 1984: 290)
In most of the existing languages we can find words, which sound different but have identical meanings. These words are called synonyms. The word synonym comes from Ancient Greek syn meaning ‘with’ and onoma meaning ‘name’. But can two words really have exactly the same meaning? Fromkin et al. does not agree with this definition, he states that no two words ever have exactly the same meaning even if they are synonyms (2003:181). Therefore synonyms are words carrying nearly similar meanings and whose usage is bound to the context. This means that one has to be careful in choosing a word; it might not carry the same meaning as the writer intended. Translation often causes irritation about which of the words fits better in a specific sentence. Especially the non-native speakers have a lot of problems in deciding which of the words is more suitable to use in a certain context and they have to face the question if any one of these words is suitable in any context. But also native speaker are not always sure about the correct use of two synonymous words. Appointment and engagement are two words with a similar sense to the common mind and share many semantic properties. In the thesaurus both words are said to be synonymous and when applying the definition above, we may agree with it. But do appointment and engagement really have exactly the same meaning? In this essay I want to work out the differences and similarities of the words appointment and engagement and if they can be considered synonymous anyway. Therefore I will have a closer look at their definition in different dictionaries and a questionnaire distributed to native speakers will be analyzed. Furthermore, a comparative analysis will be brought out, based on a corpus study of the two nouns. This analysis will be limited to their frequency and their collocates. Throughout the essay both words will be italicized and the complete results can be found in the appendix.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Aim
- 3. Method and Material
- 4. Synonyms
- 5. Definition and Usage of Engagement and Appointment
- 5.1 Definition and Usage of Appointment
- 5.2 Definition and Usage of Engagement
- 6. Do Native Speakers Think Appointment and Engagement Synonymous?
- 7. Corpus-based Analysis
- 7.1 Distribution of Engagement and Appointment in the Bank of English
- 7.2 Collocations Containing Appointment and Engagement
- 8. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
The main objective of this essay is to investigate the nuanced differences in the usage of "appointment" and "engagement" to determine whether they are truly synonymous or exhibit distinct semantic properties. The analysis will draw upon data from the British National Corpus (BNC), a questionnaire administered to native English speakers, and several English dictionaries. The hypothesis is that while interchangeable in some contexts, "appointment" and "engagement" predominantly carry different meanings.
- Semantic distinctions between "appointment" and "engagement."
- The extent of synonymy between "appointment" and "engagement" and their interchangeability.
- Comparative frequency of usage between "appointment" and "engagement."
- Analysis of collocational patterns associated with "appointment" and "engagement."
- Exploration of contextual factors influencing the choice between "appointment" and "engagement."
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the essay by establishing the concept of synonyms and questioning the idea of perfect synonymy. It introduces the words "appointment" and "engagement" as a case study, highlighting their perceived similarity and the need to investigate their actual usage differences. The chapter outlines the methodology, which will include dictionary analysis, a native speaker questionnaire, and a corpus-based analysis using the British National Corpus (BNC). The overall aim is to determine the extent to which these words are truly interchangeable and to explore their differences in meaning and context.
2. Aim: This chapter clearly states the essay's central aim: to investigate the differences in the usage of "appointment" and "engagement" and to determine whether they can be considered synonymous. It outlines the specific research questions that guide the analysis, focusing on denotational differences, the degree of synonymy and interchangeability, frequency of usage, and collocational patterns. The scope of the study is clearly defined, indicating a focus on frequent usage patterns rather than an exhaustive examination of all aspects of synonymy and collocation.
3. Method and Material: This chapter details the methodology employed in the study. It describes the use of five different dictionaries to gather definitions and usage examples of "appointment" and "engagement," focusing on etymology and appearance in expressions and compounds. The chapter also explains the rationale for using native speakers (British English) as informants to assess usage, highlighting their experience with the words from childhood. Finally, the chapter justifies the use of the British National Corpus (BNC) to analyze the frequency of the words and their collocates in both written and spoken British English, emphasizing the corpus's value in examining actual usage patterns.
4. Synonyms: This chapter provides a theoretical background on the concept of synonymy, drawing upon various linguistic perspectives and highlighting the complexities and inconsistencies in defining synonyms. It discusses the challenges in establishing exact synonymy, citing examples of words that appear synonymous but differ in usage based on regional variations or collocations (e.g., "autumn" vs. "fall," "rancid" vs. "stale"). This section reinforces the complexities inherent in evaluating the synonymy of "appointment" and "engagement" and sets the context for a more nuanced analysis.
5. Definition and Usage of Engagement and Appointment: This chapter delves into the specific definitions and usage of "appointment" and "engagement," drawing upon the dictionary analysis. It explores the semantic nuances and distinctions revealed through dictionary definitions, focusing on etymological roots and contextual interpretations. This chapter lays the groundwork for further analysis by providing a solid understanding of the inherent meanings of each term.
6. Do Native Speakers Think Appointment and Engagement Synonymous?: This chapter presents the findings from the questionnaire administered to native speakers, focusing on their perceptions of synonymy and contextual usage of "appointment" and "engagement." The results of this qualitative data analysis provide valuable insights into native speaker intuitions and usage patterns, providing a crucial perspective to supplement the corpus-based analysis.
7. Corpus-based Analysis: This chapter presents the results of the corpus-based analysis conducted using the British National Corpus (BNC). This quantitative analysis examines the frequency of "appointment" and "engagement," comparing their distribution across different text types. The focus here is on examining collocational patterns associated with each term and identifying any significant differences. This analysis offers substantial empirical evidence to support or challenge the hypotheses presented earlier.
Keywords
Synonyms, appointment, engagement, semantic analysis, corpus linguistics, British National Corpus (BNC), collocations, native speaker intuition, contextual usage, denotation, interchangeability.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Analysis of "Appointment" and "Engagement"
What is the main topic of this text?
This text is a comprehensive linguistic analysis comparing the usage of the words "appointment" and "engagement." It investigates whether these words are truly synonymous or exhibit distinct semantic properties, exploring their definitions, contextual usage, and frequency in the British National Corpus (BNC).
What is the objective of this analysis?
The main objective is to determine the extent to which "appointment" and "engagement" are interchangeable. The analysis aims to uncover nuanced differences in their usage, considering semantic distinctions, frequency of use, collocational patterns, and native speaker intuition.
What methods were used in the analysis?
The research employed a multi-faceted approach. It included analysis of dictionary definitions (across five different dictionaries), a questionnaire given to native English speakers to gauge their understanding and usage of the words, and a detailed corpus-based analysis using the British National Corpus (BNC) to examine frequency and collocations.
What are the key themes explored in this text?
Key themes include the concept of synonymy itself, exploring the complexities of perfect synonymy. The analysis delves into the semantic distinctions between "appointment" and "engagement," their interchangeability, comparative frequency of usage, and the impact of collocational patterns. Contextual factors influencing the choice between the two words are also examined.
What are the findings regarding the synonymy of "appointment" and "engagement"?
While the text doesn't explicitly state a conclusive "yes" or "no" to the question of complete synonymy, the analysis suggests that while there might be overlap in some contexts, "appointment" and "engagement" predominantly carry different meanings and are not perfectly interchangeable. The results from dictionaries, native speaker surveys, and corpus analysis are used to support this conclusion.
What role did the British National Corpus (BNC) play in this analysis?
The BNC provided crucial quantitative data. It allowed for the analysis of the frequency of "appointment" and "engagement" in different text types within the corpus, as well as the identification of significant collocational patterns associated with each word. This empirical evidence contributed significantly to the overall findings.
What was the contribution of native speaker input?
A questionnaire administered to native English speakers offered qualitative data regarding their perception of the synonymy of "appointment" and "engagement" and how they use these words in different contexts. This provided valuable insights complementing the quantitative data from the BNC.
What are the key chapters and their summaries?
The text is structured into chapters covering: an introduction, outlining the aims and methodology; a detailed description of the methodology and materials; an exploration of the concept of synonyms; definitions and usage examples of both words; native speaker perceptions; a corpus-based analysis; and finally, a conclusion summarizing the findings.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include synonyms, appointment, engagement, semantic analysis, corpus linguistics, British National Corpus (BNC), collocations, native speaker intuition, contextual usage, denotation, and interchangeability.
- Quote paper
- Franziska Hofmann (Author), 2009, Synonyms. A Semantic Study of Appointment and Engagement, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/135277
