SEMANTICS
Semantics is the study of the meaning of words and sentences. In order for the morphology, phonology and syntax of a language to be used for communication there needs to be a shared system of meaning. Here we will look at the relationship between lexical items: hyponymy, part/whole relationships, synonym, antonym, converseness, and metaphor.
Relationships between Lexical Items
Hyponymy is the relationship between a blanket term and other terms that are included in it. For example, COLOR will include, WHITE, BLUE, RED, etc. and FURNITURE includes TABLE, CHAIR and COUCH.
Part/whole relationships deals with signs that are inclusive of another sign but not a type of that sign. For example: HAND and ARM, CHAIR and COUCH, WATER and SODA, and DRESS and SHIRT.
Synonymy is the relationship between words the mean the same thing. For example, CELEBRATION and HOLIDAY, DAD and FATHER, and CAR and VEHICLE.
Antonymy is the relationship between words that have opposite meanings. For example, LONG and SHORT, HARD and SOFT, and STAND and SIT.
Converseness is similar to antonymy, however it deals with things that are related to each other. It is seen in pairs like UNCLE and NEPHEW, BOSS and EMPLOYEE, and AGENT and CLIENT.
Metaphors are extension of the use of the word beyond its primary meaning to describe referents that are similar to the word or sign's primary referent. For example, "climbing out of depression" and "lift one's spirits" are metaphors that take the meaing of "climbing" and "lifting" to describe things that cannot physically be climbed out of or lifted.
[Homework 16]
The Meaning of Sentences
Sentences can mean different things depending on context. It is important to know the context or background of a conversation or else meaning of a sentence can be confused. Let's use the sentence "You need to wash out your mouth", glossed NEED WASH-MOUTH PRO-2.
This sentence can mean that someone has bad breath and needs to brush their teeth or it could mean that they are using foul language and need to stop.
Relationships between Lexical Items
Hyponymy is the relationship between a blanket term and other terms that are included in it. For example, COLOR will include, WHITE, BLUE, RED, etc. and FURNITURE includes TABLE, CHAIR and COUCH.
Part/whole relationships deals with signs that are inclusive of another sign but not a type of that sign. For example: HAND and ARM, CHAIR and COUCH, WATER and SODA, and DRESS and SHIRT.
Synonymy is the relationship between words the mean the same thing. For example, CELEBRATION and HOLIDAY, DAD and FATHER, and CAR and VEHICLE.
Antonymy is the relationship between words that have opposite meanings. For example, LONG and SHORT, HARD and SOFT, and STAND and SIT.
Converseness is similar to antonymy, however it deals with things that are related to each other. It is seen in pairs like UNCLE and NEPHEW, BOSS and EMPLOYEE, and AGENT and CLIENT.
Metaphors are extension of the use of the word beyond its primary meaning to describe referents that are similar to the word or sign's primary referent. For example, "climbing out of depression" and "lift one's spirits" are metaphors that take the meaing of "climbing" and "lifting" to describe things that cannot physically be climbed out of or lifted.
[Homework 16]
The Meaning of Sentences
Sentences can mean different things depending on context. It is important to know the context or background of a conversation or else meaning of a sentence can be confused. Let's use the sentence "You need to wash out your mouth", glossed NEED WASH-MOUTH PRO-2.
This sentence can mean that someone has bad breath and needs to brush their teeth or it could mean that they are using foul language and need to stop.
The first meaning could happen if person A was having a conversation with person B. Person B notices that when person A talks there is a bad smell coming from their mouth. At this point person B would tell person A that they need to brush their teeth, i.e. wash their mouth.
The second meaning could happen in person A was talking and was using crude and foul language with person B. Person B could get upset and tell person that they should stop using such language, i.e. wash their mouth of bad words.
[Homework 17]
The second meaning could happen in person A was talking and was using crude and foul language with person B. Person B could get upset and tell person that they should stop using such language, i.e. wash their mouth of bad words.
[Homework 17]