Semantics

Question 1

Semantics

Answer 1

• The relation of meaning + sign
• Semantic field/domain
• Semantic overgeneralisation + inference
• Inference
• Etymology
• Semantic patterning
• Lexical meaning (especially sense relations)
• Euphemism + dysphemism

Question 2

The relation of meaning + sign

Answer 2

Knowing a language means knowing a certain sign (aka signifier) is connected to a certain meaning (aka signified).
- Connection between a sign + it’s meaning is arbitrary (no real reason why something is called a certain name).

Question 3

Semantic field/domain

Answer 3

Lexemes can be grouped together with others that have interrelated meanings.
- Organising by semantic field makes it possible to understand the topic/focus of the discourse.

Question 4

Semantic over-generalisation + inference

Answer 4

When inferences are made that extend the meaning of the word beyond it’s accepted use, often by children (eg. ‘dog’ used for any 4-legged animal).

Question 5

Semantic under-generalisation

Answer 5

Words are given a narrower meaning (eg. ‘dog’ used only for family pet, not all dogs).

Question 6

Inference

Answer 6

Requires the ability to fill in the gaps between what has explicitly been said + what is meant (essential for children as they acquire language).

Question 7

Etymology

Answer 7

Study of origins + development of word forms + their meanings (broadenings, narrowing, elevation, deterioration, + shift).
- Examining etymology - ability to draw conclusions about prevalent attitudes, beliefs, customs, + behaviours of people in particular times + places.

Question 8

Semantic patterning

Answer 8

Lexical choices can lead to lexical + semantic patterns that have a significant impact of the style + register of the text.
- Irony
- Metaphor
- Oxymoron
- Similie
- Personification
- Animation
- Puns (homonyms + homophones)
- Lexical ambiguity

Question 9

Irony

Answer 9

When a speaker/writer states one thing but actually intends the audience to understand an opposing/contradictory meaning (eg. ‘nice day for a picnic’).

Question 10

Metaphor

Answer 10

Figure of speech in which one thing is said to be another - creates an implicit comparison between 2 things, requiring more knowledge + imagination.

Question 11

Oxymoron

Answer 11

Types of phrases that combine 2 apparently contradictory words for special effect (eg. ‘deafening silence’).

Question 12

Similie

Answer 12

Figure of speech that explicitly connects one thing to another in order to make a comparison.

Question 13

Personification

Answer 13

Specific type of metaphor that gives non-humans human qualities or abilities.

Question 14

Animation

Answer 14

Type of metaphor that gives movement/life to inanimate objects, ideas, or places (qualities transferred are not typically human).

Question 15

Puns

Answer 15

Play on different meanings of words exploiting lexical ambiguity for comedic effect. May involves homonyms + homophones.

Question 16

Homonyms

Answer 16

Words that are spelled + sound the same but have different meanings.

Question 17

Homophones

Answer 17

Words that sound the same but have different spellings + meanings.

Question 18

Lexical ambiguity

Answer 18

When it isn’t possible to determine the intended meaning of a particular lexeme (eg. “the punch made him unsteady on his feet” - the punch could have been a physical blow or the drink).

Question 19

Lexical meaning (especially sense relations)

Answer 19

• Synonymy
• Antonymy
• Hyponymy
• Idiom
• Denotation + connotation

Question 20

Sense relations

Answer 20

The different ways in which words can relate or connect to one another in a lexicon or in a given discourse (eg. a second is part of a minute which is part of an hour etc.)

Question 21

Synonymy

Answer 21

The sense relationship between lexemes that have similar meanings (eg. words ornithorhynchus’ + ‘platypus’ - one is common and other is scientific).

Question 22

Antonymy

Answer 22

The sense relationship between lexemes that have contrasting.opposite meanings (eg ‘not dead’ means ‘alive’).

Question 23

Hyponymy

Answer 23

Considers the hierarchies that exist between words (eg. ‘netball’ is the hyponym of ‘sport’ which is the hypernym).

Question 24

Idiom

Answer 24

Commonly used fixed phrases with non-literal meaning (meaning cannot be understood by separating + individually defining the words that make up the phrase - eg. ‘out of the blue’).

Question 25

Denotation + connotation

Answer 25

Denotation of word = it’s literal meaning
Connotation of word = extension of literal meaning.

Question 26

Euphemisim

Answer 26

Words/phrases that mask an unpleasant meaning (eg. ‘use the loo’ instead of mentioning the need to urinate).
- Allows speakers to avoid directly confrontational/awkward conversation + can also increase prestige (eg. ‘library’ becomes ‘knowledge centre’).

Question 27

Dysphemism

Answer 27

Words/phrases that magnifies an unpleasant meaning (for humour, to cause offence, to abuse, etc).