This document discusses several key concepts in semantics:
- A reference is an object or entity in the world that a word refers to, while a referent is the actual word or expression used. One problem with references and referents is ambiguity.
- Denotation is the literal or dictionary meaning of a word, while connotation involves cultural and emotional associations.
- Context is crucial for determining meaning, as the same linguistic expressions can take on different meanings depending on how and when they are used. Pragmatics studies how context influences interpretation.
- Semantics and pragmatics have a close relationship, as part of a word or phrase's meaning relies on the surrounding context.
1. 5 MINUTE QUIZ Give an example of a reference and a referent? Name ONE likely problem of this concept. What is the difference between denotation and connotation?
2. Semantics week 3 -continuation CONTENT AND CONTEXT Another crucial aspect of meaning is the context in which an expression is used. my brother yesterday’s program Token and type: Two pound coins are two different objects, but they are instances of the same thing. They are two tokens of one type of object.
6. Pragmatics The branch of study that concerns itself with the interpretation of utterances in context. The borderline between semantics and pragmatics is hazy. The relationship between them is a very close one. Why? Linguistic expressions: a crucial part of their meaning cannot be determined without looking at context.
7. APPROACHES TO LINGUISTIC SEMANTICS Lexical semantics: -meaning of words -Vocabulary (the lexicon) is not just a list of words, but a very complex set of associations. -Truth-conditional semantics (formal semantics): Starts with the meaning of sentences. Borrows from ideas in formal logic and philosophy.
