Jelentésmódosulást

Jelentésmódosulást translates from Hungarian to English as "meaning modification" or "semantic change." It refers to the process by which the meaning of a word or phrase evolves over time. This phenomenon is a natural and ongoing aspect of language development, occurring in all living languages.

There are several ways in which meaning modification can happen. One common type is generalization, where a word's meaning broadens to encompass a wider range of concepts. For example, a word that once referred to a specific type of food might eventually come to mean any kind of food. Conversely, specialization is when a word's meaning becomes narrower, referring to a more specific concept than it originally did.

Another significant mechanism is amelioration, where a word's meaning becomes more positive or prestigious. For instance, a term that was once neutral or even negative might acquire a more favorable connotation. The opposite of this is pejoration, where a word's meaning becomes more negative or derogatory. This can happen due to social or cultural shifts that associate the word with undesirable qualities.

Metaphorical extension is also a crucial driver of semantic change, where a word's meaning is transferred to a new domain based on perceived similarities. For example, the word "foot" can refer to a part of the body or a unit of measurement. Jargon and slang can also contribute to meaning modification, as specific groups develop unique terms or alter the meanings of existing ones. Understanding these processes is vital for historical linguistics and for appreciating the dynamic nature of language.