The Interplay of Synonymy and Polysemy

Figure 1
. Schema showing the polysemy of the noun 
ring
Synonymy, though not discussed in Langacker (2008), can be captured with the same 
structures as polysemy. Synonyms can be seen as symbolic structures which elaborate the 
CIRCULAR 
ENTITY 
CIRCULAR
OBJECT 
CIRCULAR
ARENA 
CIRCULAR
MARK 

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same abstract schema. A very basic example for the adjectives 
difficult 
and 
hard 
is shown 
below: 
Figure 2
. Schema representing syonymy between the words 
hard 
and 
difficult
The lower schemas are the synonyms. They have their semantics specified (in capital 
letters). Even though not represented in this example, the semantics would be more specific 
to each word. The schemas also have the phonology specified, here shown in lower-case. A 
higher level schema captures the semantic similarities, showing they are synonyms. In the 
semantic structure, they would share at least some aspect of their meaning, in this case 
‘difficulty’. On the phonological side, the higher schema would only state that both are single 
words, but there would be no specified phonology.
2.4 Views Adopted in this Study 
The views adopted throughout this thesis fall closely in line with the framework of 
cognitive linguistics. I view the grammar and the lexicon as a continuum, both including 
schemas, but differing in the types of schemas that each include. I also assume that semantics 
and pragmatics lie on a continuum. In this thesis, I will focus mostly on semantic issues. 
Though I do not deny that pragmatics can play an important role in language, it is sometimes 
harder to pinpoint pragmatic details.
I adopt most of my theoretical tools from Langacker (2008), though I will incorporate 
ideas from other authors. My diagrams are reminiscent of Langacker (2008). As Langacker 
himself warns, the diagrams are a heuristic tool (2008:10); they are meant to represent the 
argument but are not completely accurate representations. Often only certain elements are 
included, excluding those elements of meaning that are not relevant to the point at hand. I use 
diagrams because they offer a visual representation of the basic aspects of my analysis.
The purpose of this section is to specify my theoretical assumptions and the tools that 
are used throughout this thesis. I also attempt to justify my position, by noting the types of 
details that my position is capable of capturing.
DIFFICULT / [word] 
DIFFICULT / hard
DIFFICULT / difficult

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