This paper contrasts German and English collective nouns for animals in groups. It does so by analysing the nouns according to their sense relations. Are crows really murderous - in English and German alike?
Commonly used collective nouns like a school of fishes, a murder of crows, and an unkindness of ravens personify these kinds of animals and children become creative when they hear such terminology. However, the full motivation and history behind this established metaphorical use of collective nouns for animals in groups remain concealed. Despite that, it is possible to analyse how some collective nouns are related to the animals in groups they denote, and if similar patterns apply for other languages than English, in this case German. That is the main question which is aimed to solve in this paper. Against this backdrop, different theoretical aspects are considered. These imply the distinction between relational and non-relational meanings, different sense relations, as well as degrees of specificity in English and German among a few other theoretical aspects. A detailed explanation is given in the further course of this paper. The Theory Chapter begins by defining some relevant concepts to then explain some theoretical ideas. Subsequently, the working hypothesis of this research is presented. In the Analysis, the data at hand as well as the conducted methodology are outlined. After this, the results, which include methodological peculiarities, patterns and striking findings, are pointed out and discussed. Eventually, the Conclusion delivers an overview of all outcomes and their implications.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Theory Chapter
- 2.1 Defining Some Concepts
- 2.2 Theory
- 2.3 Working Hypothesis
- 3. Analysis
- 3.1 Data and Methodology
- 3.2 Results
- 4. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to analyze the usage of collective nouns for animal groups in English and German, investigating the relationship between the collective noun and the denoted animal group. It explores whether similar patterns exist across both languages. The study considers theoretical aspects such as the distinction between relational and non-relational meanings, sense relations, and degrees of specificity.
- Relational vs. Non-relational meanings of collective nouns
- Comparative analysis of collective noun usage in English and German
- Examination of sense relations (polysemy, homonymy, synonymy, antonymy) in collective nouns
- Degrees of specificity in collective noun meaning
- Analysis of etymological connections and cognates
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter poses the central research question: Do similar patterns in the use of collective nouns for animal groups exist in English and German? It introduces the concept of collective nouns, highlighting their metaphorical nature and the intriguing relationship between the noun and the animals it describes. The chapter briefly outlines the theoretical framework (relational vs. non-relational meanings, sense relations, degrees of specificity) and the structure of the paper, promising a deeper exploration of these concepts in subsequent sections. The playful opening questions about sea animals in school and the behavior of crows and ravens immediately establish a light yet intriguing tone for the research, hinting at the rich semantic depths that await exploration.
2. Theory Chapter: This chapter lays the theoretical groundwork for the analysis. It begins by defining key terms like "content word," "collective noun," and "sense relations," providing concise, academically sound definitions based on established linguistic sources. The chapter then delves into the theoretical framework proposed by König and Gast (2018), discussing the distinction between relational and non-relational meanings, and the concept of "degrees of specificity." This section elaborates on intersections of meaning, metonymical and metaphorical extensions, and the relevance (or lack thereof) of false friends and cognates to the study. The chapter concludes by exploring relevant sense relations, including polysemy, homonymy, synonymy, and antonymy, setting the stage for their application in the analysis of English and German collective nouns.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Collective nouns, animal groups, English, German, contrastive analysis, relational meaning, non-relational meaning, sense relations, polysemy, homonymy, synonymy, antonymy, degrees of specificity, cognates, metaphor, metonymy.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this language preview?
This preview provides a comprehensive overview of a research paper analyzing the usage of collective nouns for animal groups in English and German. It examines the relationship between the collective noun and the denoted animal group, exploring similarities and differences between the two languages.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper investigates several key themes, including: the distinction between relational and non-relational meanings of collective nouns; a comparative analysis of collective noun usage in English and German; an examination of sense relations (polysemy, homonymy, synonymy, antonymy); degrees of specificity in collective noun meaning; and an analysis of etymological connections and cognates.
What is the research question addressed in the paper?
The central research question is: Do similar patterns in the use of collective nouns for animal groups exist in English and German?
What theoretical framework is used in the paper?
The paper utilizes a theoretical framework that considers relational versus non-relational meanings, sense relations (polysemy, homonymy, synonymy, antonymy), and degrees of specificity in the meaning of collective nouns. The work of König and Gast (2018) is referenced in establishing this framework.
What are the main components of the paper's structure?
The paper is structured into four main chapters: an introduction, a theory chapter, an analysis chapter, and a conclusion. The introduction sets the research question and outlines the theoretical framework. The theory chapter defines key terms and elaborates on the theoretical framework. The analysis chapter presents the data and methodology used, along with the results. The conclusion summarizes the findings.
What specific linguistic concepts are discussed in the paper?
The paper discusses various linguistic concepts including collective nouns, content words, sense relations (polysemy, homonymy, synonymy, antonymy), relational and non-relational meanings, degrees of specificity, metaphor, metonymy, and cognates.
What languages are compared in this study?
The study focuses on a contrastive analysis of collective nouns in English and German.
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This preview includes the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords of the research paper.
What is the overall approach of the research?
The research takes a comparative and contrastive approach, aiming to identify similarities and differences in the use of collective nouns for animal groups across English and German.
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- Quote paper
- Lisa Thöne (Author), 2021, Collective Nouns for Animals in Groups. A Contrastive Analysis of English and German, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1474878
