The meaning of the slang word bastard also has changed in the meaning. Before its meaning broadens to “contemptible person”, it
has origin meaning “illegitimate child.”
4.2.2 Specialization
Specialization occurs when the meaning of word is narrowed into the same class. The range of its meaning is decreased, so that a word can be used
only in fewer contexts than before is reshaped under the pressure of another word that had frequently co-occurred with it. The example of this process is
the slang words prick.
a. Prick
The word prick has origin meaning “a very small puncture or, formerly, dot, made by a sharp point”. Then the meaning of the word
is narrowed and become a person, esp. a man, regarded as contemptible, obnoxious.
b. The other slang that has passed specialization is tits. The origin
meaning of this word refers to “any small projection like teat”. However, then the word tits passed the process of specialization and
the meaning narrows from before. In standard usage, it refers to ”nipple”. In the slang sense, it refers to “breast”.
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4.2.3 Pejoration
Pejoration is a process by which a word meaning is worsens or degenerates, coming to represent something less favorable than it originally
did. The slang word that has passed this process is pens and faggot. a.
Pens The word pens is middle English that has origin meaning “a small
yard or enclosure for domestic animals.” Then the meaning degenerates or worsen and become “a penitentiary”.
b. Faggot
The word faggot has origin meaning “bundle of sticks.” Then, the meaning of the word broadens through the process of generalization
and also degenerates through the process of pejoration to become “homo sexual men” as slang.
4.2.4 Amelioration
It is a process by which the meaning of word improves or becomes elevated, coming to represent something more favorable than it originally
refers to. The American slang that have passed this process is bitch. a.
Bitch The origin of the word bitch is from old English. It has meaning
“female animals, especially dogs.” Now the meaning of the term broadens to “female” and “girlfriend” in the slang sense.
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CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
