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Module 13 Semantics and Syntax of Language MONDEJAR

The document provides an overview of semantics, the branch of linguistics that studies meaning in language, including concepts such as sentence interpretation, semantic roles, and lexical semantics. It discusses various aspects of meaning, including cognitive, social, and symbolic dimensions, as well as word relationships like synonymy, antonymy, and polysemy. The key takeaway emphasizes the importance of semantics in understanding how language conveys meaning and shapes communication.

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140 views1 page

Module 13 Semantics and Syntax of Language MONDEJAR

The document provides an overview of semantics, the branch of linguistics that studies meaning in language, including concepts such as sentence interpretation, semantic roles, and lexical semantics. It discusses various aspects of meaning, including cognitive, social, and symbolic dimensions, as well as word relationships like synonymy, antonymy, and polysemy. The key takeaway emphasizes the importance of semantics in understanding how language conveys meaning and shapes communication.

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mondejar.cf325
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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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Module 13: SEMANTICS and SYNTAX of LANGUAGE Role Definition

Reporter: Ch’ry Jnynn F. Mondejar


Goal End point (e.g., to the kitchen)
1. What is Semantics?
Path Route taken (e.g., through the door)
• Semantics is the branch of linguistics that studies the meaning
of words, phrases, and sentences. Possessor Ownership (e.g., Wennie’s phone)

• It focuses on how language conveys information, thoughts, and Examples:


concepts.
• The chef prepared a meal → Agent: chef, Patient: meal
2. Meaning in Language
• The child scooped the ice cream with a spoon → Agent: child,
• Cognitive/Psychological: Meaning is a mental concept or Theme: ice cream, Instrument: spoon
image.
6. Lexical Semantics
• Social: Meaning is influenced by shared knowledge between
speaker and listener. • Synonymy:
Similar meanings
• Symbolic System: Language uses symbols (words) to
represent ideas, objects, or actions. o Examples: big – huge, tiny – small

3. Sentence Meaning and Interpretation • Antonymy:


Opposites
• Sentences can be declarative or interrogative.
o Gradable: hot – cold
• Words and sentences relate to each other via:
o Binary: dead – alive
o Synonyms (same or similar meanings)
• Hyponymy:
o Antonyms (opposite meanings) Specific example of a general term

o Hyponyms (specific examples of a broader term) o mango → fruit

o Prototypes (best example of a category) o bougainvilla → flower

4. Theories of Meaning: Semantic Features • Prototypes:


Typical example of a category
Nouns Adjectives Verbs
o Bird: robin (US), maya (PH)
Soccer ball Round Roll
7. Word Relations:
Girl / Boy Pretty / Handsome Talk / Listen
• Homophones:
Same sound, different meaning/spelling
Tree / Flower Tall / Fragrant Stay still / Stand tall
o bear – bare, meat – meet

5. Semantic Roles (Thematic Roles) • Homonyms:


These describe how entities participate in actions: Same form, unrelated meanings

Role Definition
o tie (clothing vs. verb), race (event vs. ethnicity)

Agent Does the action (e.g., The chef cooked)


• Polysemy:
One form, related meanings
Experiencer Feels or perceives (e.g., Rafael found it sad) o head → part of body, leader, top position

Theme The item involved or affected (e.g., the meal) • Collocations:


Words that commonly appear together
Patient Entity affected by an action
o salt and pepper, table and chair, husband and wife
Instrument Means used (e.g., spoon in scooping)
8. Key Takeaway
Force Non-volitional doer (e.g., wind blew it away) Semantics helps us understand how language represents meaning, how
we process those meanings cognitively and socially, and how different
Location Place of the event (e.g., in a basket) types of word relationships shape communication.

Source Starting point (e.g., from the store) Thank you very much!

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