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2. Brief introspection on linguistic anomalies in Roald DahlsBFG:

definition and uses

The term wordis ambiguous. It means the actual realization in text (spoen or !ritten" of

a particular lexical entr#$ but it also means the abstract form of the !ord that is listed in a

dictionar#.

In the first instance$ the term word refers to$ or indicates$ an actual occurrence of a

ph#sical e%ent$ !hether this is e%inced in a phonic or graphic form. In other !ords$ all

occurrences of a particular !ord&form either in speech or in !riting count to!ards its

total number in a text. In the second instance$ the term !ord refers to the abstract sign&

cum&concept form$ !hich is listed in a mental lexicon represented in an# dictionar# of a

specific language.

'ords are anal#zed grammaticall# and lexicall#$ the# ha%e a grammatical designation

and a meaning specification. The complete meaning of a !ord can onl# be gi%en in its

context of occurrence.

s )irth said as earl# as *+,-$ !e ne%ertheless must stress that the complete meaning of a

!ord is contextual and a full appreciation of the meaning of a !ord can onl# be achie%ed

in terms of its use. olo/ino% also !rote that 0the meaning of a !ord is determined

entirel# b# its context. In fact$ there are as man# meanings of a !ord as there are contexts

of its usage.1(olo/ino% *+2+2333:4+"

!ord consists of t!o parts: its form and its content. )erdinand de 5aussure$ under the

heading of 06eneral 7rinciples1 breas ne! ground in linguistics !hen he considers the

nature of the linguistic sign. The linguistic unit$ he sa#s is a 0double entit#1$ formed b#

the association of t!o terms. The linguistic sign does not unite a name and a thing$ as !as

ad%ocated b# certain 8uarters in linguistic philosoph#$ but rather unites a concept and an

acoustic image.

If language !ere simpl# a nomenclature for a set of uni%ersal concepts$ it !ould be eas#

to translate from one language to another. 9ne !ould simpl# replace the )rench names

for a concept !ith the nglish name. If language !ere lie this the tas of learning a ne!language !ould also be much easier than it is. But an#one !ho has attempted either of

these tass has ac8uired$ alas$ a %ast amount of direct proof that languages are not

nomenclatures$ that the concepts;of one language ma# differ radicall# from those of

another;ach language articulates or organizes the !orld differentl#. :2*&2".

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