Semantics Flashcards
(30 cards)
semantics
the study of meaning in language
metonymy
This relationship is essentially based on a close connection in everyday experience. It may be
container-content relation (can-juice); a whole-part relation (car-wheels); or a representative-symbol relation
(king-crown). Sometimes making sense of many expressions depends on contex
speaker reference
what the speaker is referring to by using some linguistic expression
linguistic reference
systematic denotation of some linguistic expression as a part of a language
collocation
Those words which tend to occur with other words; e.g. hammer collocates with nail; wife with husband and knife with fork.
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
conference
Two linguistic expressions that refer to the same real-world entity are said to be coreferentia
anaphora
A linguistic expression that refers to another linguistic expression
deictic expression
has one meaning but can refer to different entities depending on
the speaker and his or her spatial and temporal orientation
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
logical meaning
connotative meaning
additional or associated meaning
thematic meaning
lies in manner in which message is organized for emphasis
theory of naming
maintains that language is a
communication system which works with two elements; the signifier, and the signified
conceptual theory of meaning
words and things are related through the mediation of concepts of the mind
behavioristic theory of meaning
description of a language is not complete
without some reference to the context of situation in which the language operated.
agent
entity that performs the action
theme
entity that is involved in or affected by the action
instrument
if an agent uses another entity in performing an action, that other entity takes the role of instrument
benefactive
The noun or noun phrase that refers to the person or animal who benefits, or is meant to benefit, from the action of the verb
experiencer
When an NP designates an entity as the person who has a feeling, apperception or a state, it fills the role of experience
gradable
words can be used in comparative constructions
