\376\377\000H\000O\000M\000O\000N\000Y\000M\000Y\000 \000A\000N\000D\000 \000P\000A\000R\000O\000N\000Y\000M\000Y\000 \000I\000N\000 \000M\000O\000D\000E\000R\000N\000 \000E\000N\000G\000L\000I\000S\000H

Introduction
Chapter I: Homonymy as a linguistic phenomenon
1.1 The linguistic problem of the word and the meaning
1.2 Characteristics of homonyms as lexical units
1.3 The causes of homonyms emergence
Chapter II: Polysemy as a linguistic phenomenon
2.1 The notion of polysemy
2.2 Types of polysemy
Conclusion
Bibliography

INTRODUCTION

This course paper is devoted to the study of the phenomenon of homonymy and polysemy in Modern English. Homonymy is a subject which has been discussed in linguistic literature since long time ago and was considered by such scientists as Vinogradov V.V, Ahmanova O.S., Ginsburg
R.S. and others. Their disputes are related to such topics as the essence of homonymy, its origin in the English language, its use in speech, delimitations of homonyms and polysemy, homonymy and polysemy . As a result, we may draw a conclusion that homonymy presents in so many areas that it can still be considered as a relevant topic for linguistic investigation.
This course paper is devoted to the study of homonyms and polysemy . The problem of homonyms and polysemy differentiation is one of the main problems in Semasiology.
The topic of homonymy and polysemy is one of the disputable themes in Modern English and that is why we consider our work to be relevant.
The aim of the work is to present an overview of the phenomenon of homonymy and polysemy and describe their peculiarities in modern English.
The tasks of investigation include:

• 
  to reveal the definition of homonymy and polysemy ;
  
• 
  to describe classification of homonyms, their sources, classes and peculiarities as presented in lexicological literature;
  
• 
  to explain the notion of polysemy , its types and how we shouldn’t confuse them with homonyms;
  
• 
  to analyze the importance of using homonyms and polysemy , to pay attention to its correct usage;
  

Here we have used different methods, such as descriptive and analytical methods, as well as some elements of componential and contextual analysis. The main language material of the work is gathered from the English Dictionaries, as well as from the textbooks of English Lexicology by various authors. Besides, we also used the Internet sources, and the Internet journals. Words, their definitions and examples are taken from the following

dictionaries:

• 
  Dictionary of lexicography;
  
• 
  V. K. Muller's and Hornby's dictionary;
  
• 
  Oxford School Dictionary;
  
• 
  An English Homophone Dictionary;
  
• 
  Webster's New World Dictionary;
  

As well as from the following Internet dictionaries:
-http://www.britannica.com

• 
  http://www.longman.com
  
• 
  http://www.dictionary.com
  
• 
  http://www.m-w.com
  

The theoretical and practical value of the paper lies in its applicability to the course of English lexicology, General Linguistics and practical English classes.
The hypothesis of the work is that close study of homonyms and polysemy and their subtypes presents an opportunity to have a deeper insight into the mechanisms of the language functioning and provides better understanding of the semantic and lexical peculiarities of the English language.
The structure of the work consists of the introduction, two chapters, conclusion, bibliography and appendix.

Introduction describes the theoretical foundation of the work and its relevance. The main part includes two chapters, which present the problems of homonymy and polysemy from different angles.

Each part has its subdivision onto the specific thematically items. The main part bears two chapters itself which, in their turn, are subdivided onto several specific items. The first chapter it explains the linguistic problem of the word and the meaning (the first item), then causes of appearance of homonyms (the second item). Next part is about common analysis of homonyms in Modern English. Here we analyzed semantic differentiation of homonyms in Modern English, accepted classification of the homonymic units of a language diachronic and synchronic research to the problem studied (third and fourth items). And the main problem of Semasiology was covered in “Polysemy and Homonymy” part (fifth item). The second chapter shows the common analysis of polysemy in Modern English. That chapter in itself is divided into some parts: the notion of polysemy (the first item), then we classified polysemy into some subtypes (the second item). Next part is about mistakes which speakers can make and how to avoid them (third item).
The Conclusion of the course work sums up the ideas discussed in the main part and shows the ways of implying of the course work.
Bibliography includes the alphabetical list of the sources used to carry out the work on the paper.
In appendix there is a glossary of selected polysemy and homonyms listed in alphabetical order.