MODERN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
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371
SEMANTIC MOTIVATION
Khaydarova Nigora
Scientific supervisor, Andijan state institute of foreign languages
Madrahimova Malika
Student, Department of Theory and Practice of the Russian Language
Andijan State Institute of Foreign Languages
E-mail: malika4092563@gmail.com
Abstract:This article discusses semantic motivation in English, examining how
word meanings relate to their structure and usage. It distinguishes between motivated,
non-motivated, and partially motivated words, highlighting the roles of metaphor,
metonymy, and culture. Examples like foot of the mountain and keyboard illustrate key
points. The article also notes how meanings can change over time through historical
and social factors.
Keywords: semantic motivation, lexical meaning, metaphor, metonymy,
motivated words, semantic transparency, word formation.
Semantic motivation refers to the connection between the form of a word and
its meaning within the conceptual framework of a language. When the lexical meaning
of a word is clearly linked to its internal structure or metaphorical associations, it is
considered semantically motivated. This motivation often emerges through figurative
extensions such as metaphor (foot of the mountain) or metonymy (crown meaning
“monarchy”).
Unlike morphological motivation, which depends on visible morphemes,
semantic motivation is rooted in associations and conceptual mappings. For instance,
the word keyboard is semantically motivated because it refers to a board with keys —
a structure whose function aligns with the word's literal components. Similarly,
deadline originally referred to a literal line beyond which prisoners would be shot, but
MODERN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Выпуск журнала №-25
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372
its modern use to denote a time limit maintains a metaphorical connection to danger or
consequence.
Semantically non-motivated words, on the other hand, have meanings that
cannot be inferred from their form or usage context. For example, the word nice has
undergone such a broad semantic shift over centuries that its current meaning is no
longer traceable to its Latin root nescius (ignorant). These words require memorization
and often reflect historical changes in usage.
Partially motivated words contain some transparent elements while others have
become obscure. The word handbook is partially motivated: hand suggests something
personal or accessible, and book is clear, but the combination may not immediately
convey its meaning as a manual or guide.
The semantic motivation of words is influenced by cultural and social
developments. For example, technological advances introduce new words that are
semantically transparent at first (smartphone, cloud computing) but may become less
clear over time as usage becomes more idiomatic.
From a synchronic perspective, we examine how contemporary speakers
understand and relate word meaning to structure. A diachronic analysis reveals how
words lose or gain semantic transparency, such as broadcast, which once meant “to
scatter seeds” and now refers to media transmission.
In conclusion, semantic motivation is a critical aspect of linguistic
understanding, revealing how human cognition, culture, and communication intertwine
in the process of naming and meaning-making. Its study enhances our awareness of
language dynamics and aids learners in acquiring vocabulary more effectively. It is an
essential tool for linguists, educators, and learners alike, bridging the gap between
language form and meaning.
REFERENCES
1. Ullmann, S. Semantics: An Introduction to the Science of Meaning. Oxford, 1962.
2. Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. Metaphors We Live By. University of Chicago Press,
1980.
3. Lehrer, A. Semantic Fields and Lexical Structure. North-Holland, 1974.
MODERN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
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Часть–5_ Май –2025
373
4. Cruse, D. A. Meaning in Language: An Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics.
Oxford University Press, 2004.
