Semantics Flashcards
Semantics
The set of rules by which we derive meaning from morphemes, words, and sentences in a given language; also, the study of meaning
Onomatopoeic
(of words) formed in imitation of a natural sound
Referent
The thing that a word or phrase denotes or stands for
Pragmatics
A subfield of linguistics and semiotics that studies how context contributes to meaning
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
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
Words that are context-bound where meaning depends on who is being referred to, where something is happening or when it is happening.
Principle of Compositionality
A principle of semantic interpretation that states that the meaning of a word, phrase, or sentence depends on both the meaning of its components (morphemes, words, phrases) and how they are combined structurally.
Thematic Roles
The semantic relationship between the verb and the noun phrases of a sentence, such as agent, theme, location, instrument, goal, source.
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
Social Meaning
It is the meaning that a word possesses by virtue of its use in particular social situations and circumstances
The Theory of Naming
Language is a communication system which works with two elements; the signifier, and the signified
The Conceptual Theory of Meaning
Words and things are directly related through the mediation of concepts of the mind
The Behavioristic Theory of Meaning
The term context of the situation is used by two scholars, first by an anthropologist and linguist
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 antonym
Gradable
They can be used in comparative constructions
Non-Gradable
They are not normally used in comparative constructions and the negative of one member does imply the other
Hyponymy
When the meaning of one form is included in the meaning of another, the relationship is called hyponymy
Prototype
It explains the meaning of certain words like a bird not in terms of components feature
Homophony
When two or more differently written forms have the same pronunciation but different meaning
