Synonymy – the coincidence in the essential meanings of linguistic elements which (at the same time) usually preserve their differences in connotations and stylistic characteristics.
They’re no two absolutely identical words because connotations, ways of usage, frequency of an occurrence are different.
Senses of synonyms are identical in respect of central semantic trades but differ in respect of minor semantic trades.
Classification:
1. Total synonyms
an extremely rare occurence
Ulman: “a luxury that language can hardly afford.”
M. Breal spoke about a law of distribution in the language (words should be synonyms, were synonyms in the past usually acquire different meanings and are no longer interchangeable).
Ex.: бегемот – гиппопотам
2. Ideographic synonyms.
They bear the same idea but not identical in their referential content.
Ex.: to ascent – to mount – to climb
To happen – to occur – to befall – to chance
Look – appearance – complexion – countenance
3. Dialectical synonyms.
Ex.: lift – elevator
Queue – line
Autumn – fall
4. Contextual synonyms.
Context can emphasize some certain semantic trades & suppress other semantic trades; words with different meaning can become synonyms in a certain context.
Ex.: tasteless – dull
Active – curious
Curious – responsive
Synonyms can reflect social conventions.
Ex.:
clever - neutral
bright - Only speaking about younger people by older people
brainy - Is not used by the higher educated people
intelligent - Positive connotation
Dever-clever - Stylistically remarked
5. Stylistic synonyms.
Belong to different styles.
child - neutral
Infant - elevated
Kid - colloquial
Synonymic condensation is typical of the English language.
It refers to situations when writers or speakers bring together several words with one & the same meaning to add more conviction, to description more vivid.
Ex.:
Safe & sound
Lord & master
First & foremost
