Meeting : 5
Semantics IG 0352
METONYMY
Learning Outcome
• Students are able to analyze metonyms
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OUTLINE
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Definition of metonymy
Patterns of metonymy
Analyzing metonymy
How to use corpus
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Definition of metonymy
• Metonymy is a kind of non-literal langauge
in which one entity is used to refer to
another entity that is associated with it in
some way. (Hurford and Heasley:2007)
• Metonymy is using one entiry to refer to
another that is related to it
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Metonymy
• The ham sandwich is waiting for his check
• He likes to read the Marquis de Sade
• The Times hasn’t arrived at the press
conference yet.
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Patterns of metonymy
• THE PART OF THE WHOLE
– We don’t hire longhairs
– The Giant need a stronger arm in right field.
• PRODUCER FOR PRODUCT
– He bought Ford
– He’s got a Picasso in his den
• OBJECT USED FOR USER
– The buses are on strike
– We need a better glove at third base
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Patterns of metonymy
• CONTROLLER FOR CONTROLLED
– Nixon bombed Hanoi
– Napoleon lost at Waterloo
• INSTITUTION FOR PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE
– The Senate thinks abortion is immoral
– I don’t approve of the government’s actions
• THE PLACE FOR THE INSTITUTION
– The White House isn’t saying anything
– Wall Street is in a panic
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Patterns of metonymy
• CHE PLACE FOR THE EVENT
– Watergate changed our politics
– Remember the Alamo
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Analysing metonymy
• Vehicle entity : the words/phrase
• Target entity : the meaning
• Conceptual metonym : the patterns
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E.g.
Vehicle : the Crown
Target entity : the monarchy
Conceptual metonym: THE PART OF THE WHOLE
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