Polysemy and Homonymy: Challenges Relating to Lexical Entries in the Sesotho sa Leboa–English Bilingual Dictionary

V.M Mojela

doi:10.4314/lex.v17i1.51562

Abstract

This article outlines the challenges relating to the lemmatization of the lexical items which are either polysemous or homonymous, as experienced during the compilation of the Sesotho sa Leboa–English Bilingual Dictionary. These problems can be ascribed to a lack of objectivity result-ing from an inadequate knowledge regarding the etymological relationships of the meanings of some lexical items which are subsequently misclassified as either homonyms or polysemous words. This often causes improper lexical entries in dictionaries, i.e. polysemous words may be lemma-tized as homonyms and vice versa. To unambiguously distinguish between lexical items which are either homonyms or polyse-mous words, lexicographers should in this regard consider the criteria suggested by scholars: — In accordance with the relatedness/unrelatedness criterion, the lexicographer will need to determine the extent to which the lexical items are related before entering them in the dic-tionary. — The etymological criterion will help the lexicographer to determine the relatedness of the lexical items for inclusion in the dictionary according to their historical connection. Using these criteria to lemmatize a lexical item properly in the dictionary, the lexicographer will be required to determine whether a lexical item can be regarded as one word with more than one meaning (a polysemous word), or as two different lexical items which have the same spelling (homonyms). To make this distinction, the lexicographer will need to research the historical back-ground of the lexical item. Even though these criteria are important aids for distinguishing polysemy and homonymy, the problem of subjectivity is not altogether removed since the criteria do not specify the level or degree of relatedness/unrelatedness at which the lexical item(s) can be said to be polysemous or homonymous. Keywords: semantic shift, polysemy, homonymy, meaning, sense rela-tion, lexical item, etymology, metaphor, metaphoric sense, euphemism, lemmatization

Highlights

It is not always possible to distinguish polysemous lexical items from homonyms, and whenever this distinction is made, subjectivity prevails
The lexicographer shows the distinction made by entering homonyms separately in the dictionary, i.e. as two or more different lexical items even though the lexical items have the same spelling and/or pronunciation, while a polysemous lexical item is entered as one lexical item with its definition showing all its multiple meanings, i.e. two or more meanings attached to one lexical item
Lyons (1977: 550) says the following: 'The difference between homonymy and polysemy is easier to explain in general terms than it is in terms of objective and operationally satisfactory criteria.'

Summary

Introduction

It is not always possible to distinguish polysemous lexical items from homonyms, and whenever this distinction is made, subjectivity prevails. The lexicographer's knowledge of the etymological development of the lexical items is of vital importance. The lexicographer shows the distinction made by entering homonyms separately in the dictionary, i.e. as two or more different lexical items even though the lexical items have the same spelling and/or pronunciation, while a polysemous lexical item is entered as one lexical item with its definition showing all its multiple meanings, i.e. two or more meanings attached to one lexical item

Defining polysemy and homonymy

Lexicographic challenges

Subjectivity associated with polysemy and homonymy

Conclusion