Top 6 Best Lesson Plans on 'Polysemy and Meaning Transfer Phenomena' for Grade 6

A. KEY CONCEPTS

1. Words with Multiple Meanings

Read the following poem and complete the tasks:

The legs

The stick with one leg

Helps the old lady avoid falling.

The compass that my father draws

Has a standing leg, a rotating leg.

The stove used every day

Has three legs spread out in the fire.

Never moves

Is the four-legged table.

Only the Trường Sơn hammock

Has no legs, but travels across the country.

(Vũ Quần Phương)

Task:

Look up the dictionary for the meanings of the word 'leg':
According to the Vietnamese dictionary:

The lower part of a human or animal body used for walking and standing.
The bottom, the root of an object
A part of an object used to support it to stand on a flat surface. (table leg, chair leg)
Position or rank of a person. (Example: That executive position is highly sought after.)
Find other words with multiple meanings in the poem.
For example: 'fall' (crossroad, fallen, life detour...),
'rotate' (spinning wheel, reincarnation...)
Choose words that have only one meaning in the poem.
For example: hammock, stick, compass

2. Semantic Shift of Words

Find the connection between the meanings of the word 'leg'.
The word 'leg' in the poem 'The Legs' is used with multiple meanings. However, all meanings are derived from the original meaning: Referring to the lower part of a human or animal body used for walking and standing.
In a specific sentence, how many meanings does a word usually have?

Usually, a word has a single meaning. However, sometimes, a word can carry multiple meanings in a sentence, including both the original and shifted meanings, especially in literary texts.
In the poem 'The Legs', which meanings of the word 'leg' are used?
The word 'leg' here is used with shifted meanings. This creates interesting associations, making the poem's imagery more vivid.

3. Memorization

Semantic shift is the phenomenon of changing the meaning of a word, creating multiple meanings.
In multiple meanings, there are:
Original meaning: The first meaning that forms the basis for other meanings.
Shifted meaning: The meaning formed based on the original meaning.
Typically, a word in a sentence has one definite meaning. However, in some cases, the word can be understood simultaneously in both the original and shifted meanings.

B. EXERCISES AND SOLUTIONS

Question 1 (Page 56 Textbook) Find three words that refer to body parts and provide examples of their shifted meanings.

Solution:
a. Eye: eye, sugar eye, rice eye, storm eye, mesh eye
Original meaning: The organ used by humans or animals to see, helping to distinguish colors and shapes; often considered a symbol of human vision.
Shifted meaning:
A protruding or recessed part resembling the shape of an eye in some plants (bamboo eye, sugar eye)
The part resembling the shape of an eye on the outer surface of certain fruits (pineapple eye, sugar apple eye)
The center of a storm (eye of the storm)
b. Ear
Original meaning: The organ on the sides of the head in humans or animals, used for hearing
Shifted meaning:
The part of some objects resembling an ear (teacup ear, kettle ear)
An unexpected unfortunate event causing great loss (bad reputation)
c. Nose
Original meaning: The prominent part in the middle of the face, between the forehead and upper lip, which has openings used for breathing and as part of the sense of smell. Examples: sharp nose, flat nose, runny nose, snorting nose.
Shifted meaning:
A sharp or pointed part of an object (needle tip, scissors tip, knife tip)
A pointed piece of land extending into the sea or river (Cape Ca Mau, headland)
The leading direction of a military force (the army split into three divisions, one division deep into enemy lines).

Question 2 (Page 56 Textbook) In Vietnamese, some words referring to plant parts are shifted to form words referring to body parts. What are some examples of such shifts?

Solution:
Using plant parts to refer to human body parts:
Leaf: lung leaf, liver leaf, fat leaf.
Fruit: heart fruit, kidney fruit.
Bud: finger bud.
Banana bulb: arm bulb, leg bulb.
Banana bunch: ovary bunch.

Question 3 (Page 57 Textbook) Below are some examples of semantic shifts in Vietnamese. Find three additional examples for each shift:

a. From object to action: saw – sawing wood.
b. From action to unit: carrying firewood – a bundle of firewood.

Solution:
a. From object to action:
fried fish – frying fish
telephone – calling her now
fan – she fans the baby to sleep
b. From action to unit:
handful of rice – a handful of rice
fried eggs – a plate of fried eggs
bunch of vegetables – a bunch of vegetables

Question 4 (Page 57 Textbook) Read the excerpt below and answer the question:
MEANING OF THE WORD “BELLY”
Usually, when we think of eating or sensations related to eating, we think of the belly. (1) We often say: hungry belly, full belly, eat to fill the belly, eyes bigger than the belly... Belly is used with the meaning 'part of the body of humans or animals that holds the intestines and stomach'. (2) But what about phrases like 'thinking to oneself', 'secretly happy', 'belly telling oneself', 'intending' and so on? In these cases, belly means 'symbol of hidden meaning, not revealed, related to humans or general matters'.
(According to Hoàng Dĩ Đình)
a. How many meanings of the word belly are mentioned in the excerpt? What are they? Do you agree with the author?
b. In the following situations, what meaning does the word belly have:
Eat to warm the belly.
He's kind-hearted.
After running, the belly of my legs is very firm.

Solution:
a. The author mentions two meanings of the word belly:
(1) The part of the body of humans or animals.
(2) Referring to someone's internal nature, emotions, or intentions.
b. Meaning of the word belly in the following cases:
Eat to warm the belly: The original meaning (meaning 1).
He's kind-hearted: The shifted meaning (emotions).
After running, the belly of my legs is very firm: The shifted meaning (the part between the foot and knee).

I. READ THE POEM 'THE LEGS'

A stick with one leg

Helps the old lady not fall

...The Trường Sơn hammock

Has no legs, yet travels all over the country.

(Vũ Quần Phương)

1. Leg: A part of the body of humans or animals, usually at the bottom, that supports the body and allows movement from one place to another.

This is the literal meaning of the word 'leg'.

Additionally, 'leg' can have various figurative meanings derived from the literal one, such as: table leg, chair leg, bed leg, lamp leg, tripod leg, pillar base, mountain base, leg of the river, leg of the sky, propeller leg (on ships), and so on.

2. Find other words that also have multiple meanings like 'leg':

- Face: The human or animal face (literal meaning).

Figurative meanings: surface of the earth, sun's face, moon's face, water surface, river surface, table surface, chair surface, grass surface, cupboard face, floor surface, cutting board face, road surface, street face...

- Mouth: The part of the body used for eating, and sometimes for speech or making sounds. This is the literal meaning of 'mouth'.

Figurative meanings: pot mouth, sound hole, bowl mouth, jar mouth, pit mouth, abyss mouth, tunnel mouth...

3. Some words with only one meaning: tripod, gun, stove, kidney, liver, brain...

II. PHENOMENON OF MEANING SHIFT

1. Find the connection between the various meanings of the word 'leg':

- The literal meaning of 'leg' refers to the part of the body at the bottom that supports the parts above it.

- The figurative meanings of 'leg' are based on this idea (or one of them). For example: mountain base refers to the lower part of a mountain, which supports the upper part.

2. Typically, a word is used in a sentence with one specific meaning.

3. In the poem 'The Legs', the word 'leg' is used with both figurative meanings (stick leg, compass leg, tripod leg, table leg) and the literal meaning (hammock with no leg).

Summary:

- Meaning shift refers to the phenomenon of a word changing its meaning, creating multiple meanings for that word.

- Within multiple meanings, there are:

+ Literal meaning: The original meaning that forms the foundation for other meanings.

+ Figurative meaning: A meaning formed based on the literal meaning.

- Generally, a word has one specific meaning in a sentence. However, in some cases, a word can be understood with both its literal and figurative meanings simultaneously.

III. EXERCISES

1. Three body part words and examples of their meaning shifts: Eye - shift meaning: net eye, sugar eye, sieve eye, bamboo eye, link eye...

Intestine - shift meaning: pen refill, bicycle tube...

Ear - shift meaning: teapot spout, mill ear...

2. In Vietnamese, some plant part words are shifted to create body part terms. Examples: kidney bean, heart fruit, liver leaf, lung stalk...

3. Find additional examples for these words:

a) Object turned into action:

saw - saw wood

plane - plane wood

chisel - chisel wood

drill - drill wood

sieve - sieve rice

fan - fan rice

b) Action turned into unit:

carry firewood - a load of firewood

bind rice - two bundles of rice

bucket water - five scoops of water

4. Answer the questions:

a) In the provided passage, the author presents two meanings of the word 'belly':

Literal meaning: belly is a part of the body containing the liver, intestines, stomach, spleen, and gallbladder.

Figurative meaning: belly symbolizes hidden thoughts or meaning, not openly expressed, related to people or matters in general.

- The opinion of the author Hoàng Dĩ Đình is very accurate.

b) In the following cases:

- Eat to warm the belly → 'belly' refers to a part of the human body.

- He is kind-hearted → 'belly' refers to his heart.

- Run a lot, the belly of the legs is firm → 'belly' refers to the muscle of the lower leg.

I – Multiple Meanings

Question 1, page 55, Literature 6, Volume 1: Read the poem.

Question 2, page 55, Literature 6, Volume 1:

The lower part of the human or animal body used for walking, standing, running, jumping…
The human leg symbolizes a position, status, or responsibility within an organization.
The lower part of various objects, in contact with and firmly attached to the ground.

Question 3, page 56, Literature 6, Volume 1:

- Words with multiple meanings: neck, death, nose…

Question 4, page 56, Literature 6, Volume 1:

- Words with a single meaning: television, soap, Earth...

II – The Phenomenon of Meaning Shift

Question 1, page 56, Literature 6, Volume 1:

The connection between the meanings of the word 'leg': the lower part used for support and movement.

Question 2, page 56, Literature 6, Volume 1:

In a specific sentence, a word can have two meanings: the literal meaning and the figurative meaning.

Question 3, page 56, Literature 6, Volume 1:

In the poem 'The Legs', the word 'leg' is used with both the literal and figurative meanings.

III – Practice Exercises

Question 1, page 56, Literature 6, Volume 1:

- Nose: human nose, boat's nose, knife edge, land nose...

- Neck: wrist, bottle neck, antiques...

- Eye: sugar eye, net eye, hammock eye...

Question 2, page 56, Literature 6, Volume 1:

Examples of meaning shifts:

- Leaf: lung leaf, guava leaf, liver leaf

- Fruit: sugar apple, abundant fruit, bomb fruit

Question 3, page 57, Literature 6, Volume 1:

a) The hoe -> hoe the land

The scissors -> cut the saw

b) A handful of grass -> one handful of grass

Hoeing the land -> two hoes

Question 4, page 57, Literature 6, Volume 1:

a)

- The author mentions two meanings of the word 'belly':

- These are:

A part of the human body

A symbol of hidden meanings or emotions that are not expressed openly in a person

- The explanation is very reasonable -> agreed.

b)

- Eat to warm the belly => part of the human body.

- He is kind-hearted => character and personality of the person.

- Running a lot, the belly of the legs is very firm => a bulging part found in some animals.

Question 5, page 57, Literature 6, Volume 1: Listen and write the dictation.

I. Multiple Meanings

1. Read the poem excerpt

2. The meanings of the word 'leg'

- Refers to a part of the human or animal body used for support.

- The lower part of plants.

- The social or professional status of a person.

3. Other words with multiple meanings like 'leg'

- The word 'nose':

+ The raised part of the face for breathing in humans and animals.

+ A piece of land that extends into the sea: land promontory.

+ The pointed tip of objects: knife tip, scissor tip, boat's nose.

4. Words with a single meaning:

House, tree, happy, sad…

II. The Phenomenon of Meaning Shift

1. The relationship between the meanings of the word 'leg':

- Shared meaning features: used for support and movement.

2. A word often has two meanings: the literal and the figurative.

3. In the poem 'The Legs', the word 'leg' is used both literally and figuratively.

III. PRACTICE

Exercise 1 (Page 56, Literature 6, Volume 1)

Three words representing human body parts and their meaning shifts:

- 'Eye': sugar eye, pineapple eye, hammock eye, tree eye, net eye…

- 'Nose': boat nose, knife nose, land nose, military nose.

- 'Hand': armchair hand.

- 'Neck': bottle neck, jar neck, shirt collar.

Exercise 2 (Page 56, Literature 6, Volume 1)

Some words describing plant parts have shifted meaning to refer to body parts:

- Leaf: lung leaf, spleen leaf, liver leaf.

- Fruit: heart fruit, kidney fruit.

Exercise 3 (Page 56, Literature 6, Volume 1)

a) Words changing from things to actions:

- The hoe -> hoeing the land.

- The plane -> planing wood.

- Salt grains -> salting pickles.

b) Actions changing into things:

- A bundle of grass -> one bundle of grass.

- A rice ball -> three rice balls.

- Bike pump -> a pump.

Exercise 4 (Page 57, Literature 6, Volume 1)

a) The author discusses two meanings of the word 'belly':

- A body part in humans and animals that contains the stomach and intestines.

- A symbol of hidden thoughts or emotions not openly expressed.

→ A single word can have multiple meanings: the literal and the figurative.

b) The meanings of the word 'belly' in these combinations:

- Eating to warm the belly (belly: a body part containing the stomach and intestines).

- He is kind-hearted (belly: a symbol of deep thoughts or emotions in relation to people or situations).

- Running a lot, the belly of the legs is firm (belly: a bulging part found in some animals).