1.5 Generating meaning through combinations

Question 1

Where does the power of language come from? 4 points

Answer 1

1-from the fact that we can combine words to generate complex meanings
2-if we couldn’t do so, then the language would be a very crude a limited form of communication
3-Different meaning can be generated using the same words depending on the sequence in which this words are used. This dimension of meaning where we can combine signs is called the “syntagmatic” (which is related to “syntax”) (syntagmatic: relating to the way different words or language elements can be combined to make language structures)
4-another dimension of meaning lies in the contrast between different words, such as brown and red. This dimension of meaning is called paradigmatic (remember the diagram with the arrows)

Question 2

dimensions of meaning 5 points

Answer 2

1-The paradigmatic dimension is one where one sign/word can be substituted for another. So, for example “girl” in “girl hates boy” could be replaced by woman and the meaning changes
2-in the syntagmatic dimension the order in which the signs combine changes the meaning
3-other sign systems also generate meaning along these dimensions. Take, for example, the clothes we wear. A tie and a suit signal formality. These two items of clothing have a syntagmatic relationship: they go together. on the other hand a tie and a bow have a paradigmatic relationship. We can substitute them and, when we do, this carries meaning. A tie is formal but a bow tie may be even more so. a bow tie is also more unusual, so someone may choose to wear it to project a certain individualism. (remember activity 1.10 and the different items of clothing, the clothes that can be worn together have a syntagmatic relationship. The clothes that can be worn in place of another have a paradigmatic relationship )
4-when it comes to substituting a word by another keep in mind that a word can be substituted by a group of words. “me” could be substituted by “my mother”
5-When combining different units of language, we pay attention to certain formal rules that are specific to the language as well as to the meanings of the words that are being combined