1. An unmarried man.
2. A young knight in the service of another knight in feudal times.
3. A male animal that does not mate during the breeding season, especially a young male fur seal kept from the breeding territory by older males.
4. A person who has completed the undergraduate curriculum of a college or university and holds a bachelor's degree.
As one can see, these are quite different definitions which are worth to be analysed more precisely. Scheler (1977: 82), who gives an etymological categorization, states that all these definitions derive out of the Latin word ´baccalarius´, which meant ´labourer on an estate´.
Meaning one came up around 1300 and is according to Goddard (1998: 31) not a very precise meaning of the word though, because he says “priests are not bachelors although they are unmarried men […] (and therefore) someone who genuinely doesn’t know the word would be misled.” In this case it also implies some kind of eligibility to get married, which is not clear by definition. This definition is the mostly used one today and almost all example sentences in the British National Corpus revealed the same definition as in example (1):
(1) The best stories, though, are perhaps the first, about a middle-aged bachelor farming alone after his mother dies, and the last, about a member of the village brass band picking up a woman on a bus trip to Venice.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Bachelor and spinster today
- The lexical item bachelor
- Meaning 1: Unmarried man
- Meaning 2: Young knight
- Meaning 3: Male animal
- Meaning 4: University graduate
- The lexical item 'spinster'
- The differences between bachelor and spinster
- Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to analyze the semantic differences between the words "bachelor" and "spinster," exploring their etymological origins, various lexical meanings, and the evolution of their definitions over time. The analysis will utilize componential analysis to illustrate the semantic relationships between these terms and other related words.
- Etymological origins and historical evolution of "bachelor" and "spinster."
- Comparison of the contemporary definitions of "bachelor" and "spinster."
- Application of componential analysis to reveal semantic relationships.
- Examination of polysemy and hyponymy in relation to these terms.
- Analysis of semantic change and its causes.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter lays out the purpose of the paper: to examine the semantic differences between the words "spinster" and "bachelor." It establishes the scope of the analysis, which will include an exploration of their origins, differing meanings, and various ways of defining their meanings. The author intends to highlight that despite seemingly similar surface-level definitions, significant differences exist.
Bachelor and spinster today: This chapter presents initial dictionary definitions of "bachelor" and "spinster," revealing their apparent similarity at first glance. The definitions from Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary and Oxford Student's Dictionary are compared, acting as a jumping-off point for a deeper analysis of the nuances and dissimilarities that will be explored in subsequent chapters. It sets the stage for a more detailed examination of the semantic differences to be uncovered.
The lexical item bachelor: This chapter delves into the multiple meanings of "bachelor." It begins with the common definition of an unmarried man, but expands to encompass historical meanings such as a young knight and a male animal that does not mate. The chapter traces the etymological roots of the word from the Latin "baccalarius," highlighting the evolution of its meanings. It uses examples from corpora and specific linguistic theories like componential analysis (Katz and Fodor) to support its claims and illustrate the diverse semantic facets of the word. The connections between different meanings are explored through the lens of polysemy.
The lexical item 'spinster': [This section is not provided in the source text and would require further input. A summary similar in style and depth to the chapter summary for "The lexical item bachelor" should be included here].
The differences between bachelor and spinster: [This section is not provided in the source text and would require further input. A summary similar in style and depth to previous chapter summaries should be included here. It should build upon and synthesize the findings of the preceding chapters, clearly outlining the key distinctions between the two words].
Keywords
Bachelor, spinster, semantic change, componential analysis, polysemy, hyponymy, etymology, lexical meaning, unmarried, dictionary definitions, semantic markers, antonymy, synonymy.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Semantic Analysis of "Bachelor" and "Spinster"
What is the main topic of this academic work?
This academic paper analyzes the semantic differences between the words "bachelor" and "spinster." It explores their etymological origins, various lexical meanings, and how their definitions have evolved over time. The analysis uses componential analysis to illustrate the semantic relationships between these terms and other related words.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The key themes include the etymological origins and historical evolution of "bachelor" and "spinster," a comparison of their contemporary definitions, the application of componential analysis to reveal semantic relationships, an examination of polysemy and hyponymy, and an analysis of semantic change and its causes.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured as follows: Introduction, Bachelor and spinster today, The lexical item bachelor, The lexical item 'spinster', The differences between bachelor and spinster, and Summary. Each section builds upon the previous one, progressively revealing the nuances and differences between the two words.
What sources are used in the analysis?
While not explicitly listed, the analysis references Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary and Oxford Student's Dictionary, as well as linguistic theories such as componential analysis (Katz and Fodor) and likely corpus data (though not explicitly stated). Further details regarding specific corpora would require access to the full text.
What methodologies are employed in the analysis?
The primary methodology used is componential analysis, a technique for breaking down the meaning of words into their constituent semantic components. This allows for a detailed comparison of the semantic features of "bachelor" and "spinster." The analysis also draws upon etymological research to trace the historical evolution of the words' meanings.
What are the key findings (based on the provided summaries)?
Based on the provided summaries, the analysis reveals that while "bachelor" and "spinster" might seem superficially similar (both referring to unmarried individuals), their meanings are significantly different when considering their etymological roots, multiple meanings (polysemy), and cultural connotations. The full extent of these differences is not fully detailed in the provided preview.
What are the key words associated with this research?
Key words include: Bachelor, spinster, semantic change, componential analysis, polysemy, hyponymy, etymology, lexical meaning, unmarried, dictionary definitions, semantic markers, antonymy, synonymy.
What is the purpose of the "The lexical item bachelor" chapter?
This chapter explores the multiple meanings of "bachelor," moving beyond the common definition of an unmarried man to encompass historical meanings like a young knight and a male animal. It traces the word's etymology and uses examples from corpora and linguistic theories to illustrate its diverse semantic facets and the relationships between its various meanings.
Why are some chapter summaries missing?
The provided text is only a preview and does not include complete summaries for "The lexical item 'spinster'," and "The differences between bachelor and spinster." The full text would provide these missing details.
- Quote paper
- Dominik Wohlfarth (Author), 2003, A Semantic Analysis of Bachelor and Spinster, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/20486
