File 6 Semantics Flashcards
(30 cards)
Semantics
The study of meaning in language.
Speaker-reference
is what the speaker is referring to by using some linguistic expression.
Linguistic-reference
is the systematic denotation of some linguistic expression as part of a language.
referent
The thing referred to in a sentence.
sense
its relations to other words in the language system.
Word
Element of Speech or writing.
Meaning
information that someone intends to convey.
Extension
refers to the set of all potential referents for a referring expression.
prototype
A typical member of the extension of a referring expression is a prototype of that expression.
stereotype
A list of characteristics describing a prototype is said to be a stereotype.
Coreference
Two linguistic expressions that refer to the same real-world entity are said to be coreferential.
Anaphora
A linguistic expression that refers to another linguistic expression is said to be anaphoric or an anaphor.
Deixis
A deictic expression has one meaning but can refer to different entities depending on
the speaker and his or her spatial and temporal orientation
The Principle of Compositionality
The semantic meaning of any unit of language is determined by the semantic
meanings of its parts along with the way they are put together
Denotative meaning
The logical meaning, which indicates the essential qualities of a concept which distinguish it
from other concepts.
Connotative meaning
The additional or associated meaning, which is attached to the denotative, conceptual
meaning. It consists of associations made with a concept whenever that concept is referred to.
Social meaning
It is the meaning that a word possesses by virtue of its use in particular social situations and
circumstances.
Thematic meaning
It lies in the manner in which a message is organized for emphasis.
The Theory of Naming
This theory, explained in Plato‟s dialogue Cratylus maintains that language is a
communication system which works with two elements; the signifier, and the signified.
The Conceptual Theory of Meaning
In the theory of meaning, just explained, words and things are directly related.
The Behavioristic Theory of Meaning
The term context of situation is used by two scholars, first by an anthropologist called Malinowski, and later by a British linguist called Firth
Experiencer
When an NP designates an entity as the person who has a feeling, apperception or a state, it fills the role
of experience.
Synonymy
Two or more forms with very closely related meanings, which are often, but not always,
intersubstitutable in sentences.
Antonymy
Two forms with opposite meanings are called antonyms
