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Introduction To Semantics Cleaned

Semantics is the study of meaning in language, focusing on how words, phrases, and sentences convey meaning. It includes lexical semantics, which examines individual word meanings and their relationships, and compositional semantics, which looks at how these meanings combine in sentences. Understanding semantics is crucial for effective communication, avoiding confusion, and is important in fields like linguistics and philosophy.

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8 views3 pages

Introduction To Semantics Cleaned

Semantics is the study of meaning in language, focusing on how words, phrases, and sentences convey meaning. It includes lexical semantics, which examines individual word meanings and their relationships, and compositional semantics, which looks at how these meanings combine in sentences. Understanding semantics is crucial for effective communication, avoiding confusion, and is important in fields like linguistics and philosophy.

Uploaded by

laibachh99
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Introduction to Semantics

What is Semantics?

Semantics is the study of meaning in language. It focuses on what words, phrases, and sentences mean and

how those meanings are understood.

Example:

- The word 'dog' refers to an animal that barks.

- Sentence: 'The dog is barking' means a specific dog is making noise.

Lexical Semantics (Word Meaning)

Lexical semantics deals with the meaning of individual words and their relationships.

Examples:

- Synonyms: Big = Large

- Antonyms: Hot != Cold

- Homonyms: Bat (animal) / Bat (cricket)

- Polysemy: Head (person / department)

- Hyponymy: Rose is a type of flower

- Hypernymy: Fruit is a hypernym of mango.

Compositional Semantics (Sentence Meaning)

How individual word meanings combine to form sentence meaning.

Example:

- 'Ali drinks tea.'

- Ali = person, drinks = action, tea = beverage.

Combined meaning: A person named Ali is drinking tea.

Sentential Semantics

Focuses on meaning of complete sentences.


Introduction to Semantics

Example:

- 'The sun rises in the east.'

Truth Condition: This sentence is true in real life.

Sense and Reference

Sense: Concept or idea of a word.

Reference: Actual object the word refers to.

Example:

- 'Morning star' and 'evening star' refer to Venus but have different senses.

Ambiguity (Double Meanings)

Lexical Ambiguity: One word, multiple meanings.

Example: 'She went to the bank.' (Bank = river side or money bank?)

Structural Ambiguity: Sentence with multiple meanings due to structure.

Example: 'I saw the man with the telescope.'

Semantic Features

Basic units of meaning in a word.

Example:

- Boy = [+human], [+male], [-adult]

Componential Analysis

Breaking down word meaning into features.

Example:
Introduction to Semantics

- Mother = [+human], [+female], [+parent]

Theories and Approaches to Semantics

1. Formal Semantics: Uses logic to explain meaning.

2. Cognitive Semantics: Based on thought and perception.

3. Prototype Theory: Concept understood by its best example.

Example: Sparrow is a prototypical bird.

Semantics vs. Pragmatics

Semantics: Literal meaning.

Pragmatics: Meaning in context.

Example:

- 'It's cold.' (Semantics: Low temperature)

- 'It's cold.' (Pragmatics: Close the window!)

Why is Semantics Important?

- Helps understand real meaning in communication.

- Avoids confusion.

- Useful for learners, translators, AI, literature.

- Essential in linguistics and philosophy.

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