semantic shift
[/səˈmæntɪk ʃɪft/]
nounpl: semantic shifts
mudança semântica
1. A change in the meaning of a word or phrase over time, where the word retains its form but acquires a new or different sense.
The word 'gay' has undergone a significant semantic shift from meaning 'happy and carefree' to primarily meaning 'homosexual' in modern usage.
A palavra 'gay' sofreu uma mudança semântica significativa, passando de significar 'alegre e despreocupado' para significar principalmente 'homossexual' no uso moderno.
2. A linguistic phenomenon where the denotation or connotation of a word changes due to cultural, social, or historical factors.
The semantic shift of 'awful' from 'full of awe' to 'very bad' demonstrates how language evolves with social attitudes.
A mudança semântica de 'awful' de 'cheio de admiração' para 'muito ruim' demonstra como a linguagem evolui com as atitudes sociais.
Semantic shift is a fundamental concept in historical linguistics and is particularly relevant in discussions about how language reflects and records social change. In Brazil and Portuguese-speaking countries, studying semantic shifts helps understand how Portuguese vocabulary has evolved differently from European to American contexts. This is especially notable in technology and social terminology, where rapid semantic shifts occur (e.g., 'digital,' 'viral,' 'trending').
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