semantic properties force and powerful master. Someone in authority implies powerful master which is not found in the expression lackey. From these semantic
properties, it can be seen that lapdog or stooge are more suitable to the context compared to lackey. In order to see the distinction between the three expressions, the
table below compares the semantic properties found in the expressions lackey, lapdog, and stooge.
lackey lapdog
stooge serves
+ +
+ does unpleasant work
+ ±
+ force
- -
+ powerful master
- +
+ Table 13. Semantic properties of lackey, lapdog, and stooge
12. Adversity
The expression adversity is found in Bashar al-Assad’s speech transcript when he was describing what the Syrian people are undergoing A9. Adversity is defined
as a difficult or unlucky situation or event. Although in a way it is true that the Syrians are undergoing a difficult situation, the reality is much more complex than
that. A difficult or unlucky situation implies that it is more likely to come to an end anytime soon. It also implies a big possibility of a resolution. In reality, the civil war
has been raging in Syria since 2011 yet until this study is conducted there has been no resolution or indication that the situation will ease. The war has taken its toll not only
on civilian casualties but also for the country’s economy and infrastructure. A lot of
businesses are shut down and the warfare has made it impossible for schools and hospitals to operate normally. In short, the whole nation’s survivability is at stake.
This situation is not portrayed by the expression adversity. Abyss means a difficult situation that brings trouble or destruction. Compared
to adversity, the degree of hardship implied in abyss is more serious. It reaches the point of destruction, which as a natural result leads to suffering. These meanings are
not shown in the expression adversity. Adversity is still vague in terms of the degree of how serious the situation is. In another comparison to the expression crisis,
adversity lacks the semantic property critical. Crisis itself refers to a situation that has reached an extremely difficult or
dangerous point; a time of great disagreement, uncertainty or suffering. It is within this extremely difficult situation that it has become critical. The circumstance in
which the Syrian people are under has become a matter of life and death – or survivability. Therefore, the expressions abyss and crisis are more likely to describe
the situation that the Syrian people are facing. In order to show the comparison between those three expressions, the table below shows the comparison of
adversity’s, abyss’, and crisis’ semantic properties. adversity
abyss crisis
hardship +
+ +
destruction -
+ +
suffering -
+ +
critical -
- +
Table 14. Semantic properties of adversity, abyss, and crisis
