THE ROLE OF SEMANTIC CHANGE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENGLISH VOCABULARY
Abstract
The present study explores semantic change as a fundamental mechanism in the historical development of English vocabulary, examining how shifts in meaning reflect social, cultural, and cognitive transformations within speech communities. Drawing on diachronic lexicological analysis and established semantic theories, the research identifies major types of semantic change, including broadening, narrowing, amelioration, and pejoration. The findings reveal that semantic change is not arbitrary but systematically motivated by extralinguistic factors such as social hierarchy, technological advancement, and cultural evolution. The study demonstrates that semantic change contributes significantly to lexical flexibility and adaptability, enabling English to respond to new communicative demands while preserving historical continuity.