The convergence and divergence of extension and intension on semantic change


 Despite the fact that semantic change studies have intensively argued that intensional readings develop from the
 literal reading as a whole, diachronic prototype semantics proposes that intensional readings arise from the extensional subsets
 of the literal reading. This study empirically explored this proposal by carrying out a corpus-based diachronic study. It is
 proved from the semantic change of Chinese pò that: (1) There exists a corresponding relationship between
 extensional usages and intensional readings of a lexical item. (2) Extension and intension both converge and diverge on semantic
 change. Their convergence lies in the fact that extensional usages give rise to intensional readings. Extensional usages, though
 nuanced, motivate the emergence and development of intensional readings. Their divergence is reflected in the independent
 development of extensional usages and intensional readings. The subsistence or dying out of extensional usages does not constrain
 the appearance or disappearance of intensional readings. (3) Semantic change involves three stages, namely the extensional stage,
 the intensional stage, and the grammaticalization stage. These three stages constitute an interweaving continuum in the process of
 semantic change.