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Article: 'N Etimologiese perspektief op betekenisverandering in die Afrikaanse leksikon. (Research Articles).(English abstract, Dutch text)(Critical Essay)
- Article from:
- Literator: Journal of Literary Criticism, comparative linguistics and literary studies
- Article date:
- April 1, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Literator Society of South Africa. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Abstract
An etymological perspective on semantic change in the lexicon of Afrikaans
This article deals with the most important processes of semantic change that have occurred in Afrikaans: semantic broadening, narrowing, shift and bifurcation. These processes are not necessarily gradual. There are many cases of radical change with no intermediate stages. Attention is also paid to other characteristics of semantic change such as irregularity, unpredictability and the spreading of semantic changes through the speech community. The main focus of the discussion is on a number of different factors that are responsible for semantic change. An exemplified ...