Chapter 6 English Lexicology 宁波工程学院 外国语学院 叶狂 Antonymy Chapter 6 English Lexicology 宁波工程学院 外国语学院 叶狂

Introduction Antonyms: Words opposite in meaning. Such as: true - false, old – young Seemingly simple, or not?

Two questions Q1: Why cannot say how true/false? *How true is your answer? (true-false) *How false is my answer? Q2: Why use a but not b? a. How old are you? b. #How young are you? (old – young) Keep these two questions in mind while we are going to today’s focus!

Today’s focus 1. Classification & individual characteristics of each type of antonyms 2. One general property

1. Classification of antonyms (1) Contradictories相反词 (2) Contraries 相对词 (3)Reverses 反向词（to be discussed next time)

1) Contradictories相反词 Two Characteristics: A. These antonyms are mutually exclusive, admit no possibility between them, assertion of one is the denial/negation of the other. 非A即B，非B即A，没有中间。 Dead – alive; male – female; girl – boy; true – false; *My pet dog is dead but luckily it is still alive.

B. These antonyms are non-gradable, cannot be used in comparative degrees (*A is more/less than B), do not allow adverbs of intensity like very to modify them. e.g. *very single/married; *more single/married. In Chinese, *很男/女； Now, you are able to answer Q1. *How true is your answer? *How false is your answer?

2) Contraries 相对词 Two Unique Features: A. These antonyms form part of a scale of values between two poles and can accommodate a middle/intermediate terms. Or they are gradable, admit possibility between them e.g., hot (warm, tepid, cool) cold.

B. These antonyms can be used in comparative degrees (A is more/less than B), can be modified by adverbs of intensity. Now you are able to partially answer Q2: How old are you? #How young are you? (old – young)

2. A general property One of the antonymous pair, usually the one with general meaning is unmarked and basic, the other is specific. he - she He who laughs best laughs last. *She who laughs best laughs last.

The meaning of the specific is included in the meaning of the more basic. How long is it? No matter how short is it. Now you are ready to answer Q2: How old are you? #How young are you? (old – young)

Now you can see the author’s real intention by asking : “快瞧小脚呀！”“我瞧见小脚啦！”“多大？多小？”（冯骥才《三寸金莲》） ？？？“快瞧小脚呀。。。，多小？多大？”

Summary 1. Antonyms are words opposite in meaning. 2. Three types of antonyms: contradictories, contraries, and reverses. 3. The individual properties and one general property for the two kinds of antonyms.

Thank you very much.