1. Historical Evolution of Language:
* Words are not static: Language is constantly evolving. New words are created, old words change meaning, and meanings can shift due to cultural changes.
* Origin of "mean": The word "mean" originally comes from Old English "mēan" meaning "to intend, to purpose." Over time, the meaning expanded and branched out.
* Social agreement: Meanings are established through shared understanding and usage by a community.
2. Semantics and Lexical Ambiguity:
* Multiple meanings: Many words, like "mean," have multiple meanings. The context helps us determine which meaning is intended.
* Polysemy: This refers to words with multiple, related meanings. For example, "mean" can refer to "average" ("The mean temperature was 20 degrees") or "unpleasant" ("She gave me a mean look").
* Homonyms: These are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings (e.g., "there," "their," "they're").
3. Connotation and Denotation:
* Denotation: The literal dictionary definition of a word.
* Connotation: The emotional and cultural associations attached to a word.
* Context: The situation surrounding a word helps us understand its intended meaning, including both denotation and connotation.
4. Metaphor and Figurative Language:
* Figurative language: We use metaphors and similes to create imagery and convey meaning in creative ways.
* Shifting meanings: Words can take on new meanings through figurative language, often based on underlying similarities.
In conclusion: "Mean" means what it means because of a combination of historical evolution, semantic understanding, and the way we use language in context. Language is a complex system, and the meaning of a word is not always fixed but rather shaped by its use and the context in which it appears.