Criteria of synonymy

In contemporary research on synonymy semantic criterion is frequently used. In terms of componential analysis synonyms may be defined as words with the same denotation, or the same denotative component, but differing in connotations, or in co nnotative components.

A group of synonyms may be studied with the help of their dictionary definitions (definitional analysis). In this work the data from various dictionaries are analyzed comparatively. After that the definitions are subjected to transformational operations (transitional analysis). In this way, the semantic components of each analyzed word are singled out.

In the respect of synonyms the criterion of interchangeability is sometimes applied. According to this, synonyms are defined as words which are interchangeable at least in some contexts without any considerable alteration in denotational meaning. But this is possible only in some contexts, in others their meanings may not coincide (e.g. the comparison of the sentences the rainfall in April was abnormal and the rainfall in April was exceptional may give us grounds for assuming that exceptional and abnormal are synonyms. The same adjectives in a different context are by no means synonymous, as we may see by comparing my son is exceptional and my son is abnormal). This criterion of interchangeability has been much criticised. Almost every attempt to apply it to this or that group of synonyms seems to lead one to the inevitable conclusion that either there are very few synonyms or, else, that they are not interchangeable, cf:

He glared at her (i.e. He looked at her angrily).

He gazed at her (i.e. He looked at her steadily and attentively; probably with admira­tion or interest).

He glanced at her (i.e. He looked at her briefly and turned away).

He peered at her (i.e. He tried to see her better, but something prevented: darkness, fog. weak eyesight).

These few examples are sufficient to show that each of the synonyms creates an entirely new situation so sharply differing from the rest that attempts at "interchanging" anything can destroy the utterance devoiding it of any sense at all.

Consequently, it is difficult to accept interchangeability as a criterion of synonymy because the specific characteristic of synonyms, and the one justifying their very existence, is that they are not, cannot and should not be interchangeable.

In conclusion, let us stress that even if there are some synonyms which are inter­changeable, it is quite certain that there are also others which are not. A criterion should be applicable to all synonyms and not just to some of them. Otherwise it is not acceptable as a valid criterion.

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