Lexical polysemy according to Chilean nineteenth century grammarians and lexicographers: Linguistic attitudes and ideologies

Abstract

This paper analyzes the attitudes towards lexical polysemy in the works of Chilean Spanish-speaking grammarians and lexicographers from the 19th century. The attitudes are mainly negative: the authors consider that words should have only one meaning (the “proper” meaning). Such a belief can be best understood within the frame of standard language ideology. As this language ideology aims for reduction of variation, semasiological variation (i.e., polysemy) becomes the subject of negative evaluation, which also undermines the communicative function of language. Moreover, we underline the political motivations of such ideology and attitudes towards polysemy: linguistic standardization is part of the consolidation process of the national Chilean State.