සිංහල භාෂාවේ අර්ථ විපර්යාසය පිළිබඳ තුලනාත්මක වාග් විද්‍යාත්මක අධ්‍යයනයක් (සිඛවලඳ ඇසුරෙන්)

Abstract

This study explores semantic change in the Sinhala language through a comparative linguistic lens, with a focus on words from Sikhawalanda, a holy text written in Sinhala. Semantic analysis, a fundamental method in understanding linguistic meaning, is used to trace the historical evolution of word meanings within this text. Building upon foundational theories by Michael Brielle, Leonard Bloomfield, Stephen Ullman, and Ferdinand de Saussure, the research investigates how regional and social dialects, psychological influences, and socio-cultural factors contribute to shifts in meaning. The study particularly draws on the frameworks of meaning change methods outlined by Ananda Jayasekara and Chitra Jayasekara, examining both semantic opposition and loss, as well as the processes of semantic change in Eastern languages. Through a qualitative methodology, this research analyzes Sinhala dictionaries and Sikhawalanda as primary sources, highlighting how many words from ancient Sinhala (Numusu Hela) have evolved in their meanings in modern usage.