Branches of linguistics. Synchronic vs diachronic approaches to the language study. Lexicology – ‘the science of the word’ Lexicon

Main objects of semasiological study:

-semantic development of words, its causes and classification;

-relevant distinctive features and types of lexical meaning;

-polysemy and semantic structure of words;

-the phenomena of homonymy and paronymy.
Approaches to the definition of word meaning: functional, referential and others.

There are three classical theories of meaning:

-analytical or referential (F.de Saussure’s disciples)

Meaning is the relation between the object or phenomenon named and the name itself;

-notional or conceptual (Aristotle, John Locke, A.I. Smirnitskiy, etc.)

Meaning is a certain representation of an object / phenomenon / idea / relation in the mind;

-functional or contextual (L. Bloomfield)

Meaning is the situation in which a word is uttered, i.e. its context.

Types and aspects of word meaning.