Transference based on contiguity. Metonomy

Metonomy is the transfer of name based in the association of contiguity (близькість, суміжність). It is a universal device in which the name of one object (or concept) is changed for that of another, to which it is related by association of ideas, as having close relationship to one another, e.g.: the chair may mean “ the head of the committee, chairman”; the bar may mean “ the lawyers”.

Another term for this type of transference is linguistic metonomy. The association is based upon subtle psychological links between different objects and phenomena, sometimes traced and identified with much difficulty. The two objects may be associated together because they often appear in common situations, and so the image of one is easily accompanied by the image of the other; or they may be associated on the principle of cause and effect, of common function, of some material and an object which is made of it, etc.

The foot of a bed is the place where the feet lie when one rests on the bed; and the leg of a bed is the part which serves as a support: the original meaning being “the leg of a man or animal”. The association here lies behind this development of meaning is the common function: a piece of furniture is supported by its legs as living beings are supported by theirs.

But the foot of a mountain got its name by another association: the foot of a mountain is its lowest part, so that the association here is founded on common position.

The meaning of the noun “ hand” is realised in the context “hand of a clock” originated from the main meaning of this noun “part of a human body”. It also developed due to the association of the common function: the hand of a clock points to the figures on the face of the clock, and one of the functions of human hand is also that of pointing to things. Another meaning of “hand” realised in such contexts as factory hands, farm hands is based on another kind of association: strong, skilful hands are the most important feature that is required of a person engaged in physical labour.

Meanings produced through transference based on contiguity sometimes originate from geographical or proper names. China in the sense of “ dishes made of porcelain ” originated from the name of the country which is considered to be the birthplace of porcelain. Tweed – a coarse wool cloth got its name from the river Tweed in England, from the same source comes the name of cheviot- a kind of leather - from the Cheviot hills in England.

Consider the following examples:

English	Ukrainian
From her cradle she was self-willed	До цього ж закликав дитячий фонд
Hospitals rob everyone of dignity	Банкова різко понизила його шанси на прем’єрство
The White House says It’s okay	Вона вся у золоті
He played Gershwin	Перша скрипка оркестру
Aren’t you a real Lady Galahad	Не вистачає робочих рук
	Тенесі Вільямса збагнути неможливо
	Цікаво, як вся ця кайдашева сім’я зможе узгодити кандидатуру президента?

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