Abstract

A critical appraisal is attempted of the three structurally-designated theses that are typically voiced in relation to what etymology is and what it consists in: (i) etymology is diachronic in scope, (ii) etymology involves the reconstruction of proto-forms and proto-senses, and (iii) etymology is based on the earliest possible attestations. The examination is guided and motivated by Yakov Malkiel's etymological research as well as by selected studies of the Lublin-based cognitive ethnolinguists. It is, then, concluded that etymological investigations are more likely to be productive and successful if (i) the temporal perspective employed is that of panchrony, not of the diachrony-synchrony distinction, (ii) the reconstruction aims at identifying ways of cross-generational conceptualisation (mentalities), rather than original forms, and (iii) the examination includes the whole of the historical spectrum of attestations, not just earliest records. This all leads to a full appreciation of the kind of etymology that feeds on texts, not words or lexemes, and on cognitive and experiential contexts, not on purely linguistic abstractions.

Highlights

  • A critical appraisal is attempted of the three structurally-designated theses

  • that are typically voiced in relation to what etymology is

  • etymology is diachronic in scope

Read more

Summary

Introduction

A critical appraisal is attempted of the three structurally-designated theses that are typically voiced in relation to what etymology is and what it consists in: (i) etymology is diachronic in scope, (ii) etymology involves the reconstruction of protoforms and proto-senses, and (iii) etymology is based on the earliest possible attestations. Pamięci Yakova Malkiela (1914–1998), w dwudziestą rocznicę Jego śmierci

Results
Conclusion

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.