Linguistics: Collocation and Pragmatics
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Questions and Answers

What is collocability in regards to words?

  • The history of a word or where it comes from.
  • The use of synonyms in language.
  • The set of restrictions on how a word combines with other words. (correct)
  • The literal meaning of a phrase.

Which phrase is an example of collocation?

  • Break a leg
  • See red
  • Make noise (correct)
  • White elephant sale

How can idioms generally be described?

  • They can be paraphrased easily.
  • They have a literal meaning.
  • Their meanings are often illogical. (correct)
  • They follow regular syntactic transformations.

Which of the following best defines a collocation?

<p>A set phrase that retains literal meaning. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples cannot be paraphrased using regular syntactic transformations?

<p>Break a leg (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of language, what does meaning encompass?

<p>Real-world concepts and their linguistic expression. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which option accurately describes a characteristic of idiomatic phrases?

<p>They often defy regular language syntactic rules. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes collocations from idioms?

<p>Collocations retain literal sense while idioms do not. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of connotative semantics?

<p>Figurative meanings and associations of words (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does pragmatics differ from semantics?

<p>Pragmatics examines the use of language in social contexts (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of linguistics does pragmatics belong to?

<p>Sociolinguistics (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does denotative semantics refer to?

<p>The explicit or literal meanings of words (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'pragmalinguistics' refer to within the study of pragmatics?

<p>The interaction of linguistic forms and meanings in context (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does conversation analysis within pragmatics focus on?

<p>How implied meanings are constructed during conversations (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Pragmatics considers which of the following variables when analyzing communication?

<p>The inferred intent of the speaker (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did C.W. Morris contribute to the field of pragmatics?

<p>He coined the term 'pragmatics' (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is componential analysis in the context of semantic structure?

<p>Defining words by their component features (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a hyponym?

<p>Dog and mammal (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes meronym relationships?

<p>It is a whole to part relationship. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes antonyms from synonyms?

<p>Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these pairs illustrates complementary antonyms?

<p>Alive and dead (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of homographs?

<p>They are spelled the same but pronounced differently. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are gradable pairs different from complementary pairs?

<p>Gradable pairs involve non-exclusive options along a scale. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples best represents a synonym?

<p>Violet and purple (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a performative utterance?

<p>It has a subject that performs an action through the utterance. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the hereby test determine about a sentence?

<p>If it is a performative utterance. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences is NOT a performative utterance?

<p>I hereby know that girl. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding indirect speech acts?

<p>They disregard the literal interpretation of sentences. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an indirect way to inquire about information?

<p>I would like to know if you completed your assignment. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the response expected to an indirect inquiry?

<p>An informative reply that addresses the intended meaning. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do indirect requests typically operate in conversation?

<p>They usually imply a need without using direct language. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary aspect that differentiates a performative utterance from other types of sentences?

<p>It conveys an action performed by the speaker. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of pragmatics in language interactions?

<p>To understand intention and meaning (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does pragmatics contribute to communication between individuals?

<p>By offering insight into emotional undertones (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge in understanding pragmatics across cultures?

<p>Cultural differences in actions and movements (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the example given, what causes the ambiguity in the first speaker's statement?

<p>The structure of the sentence itself (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does semantics primarily focus on in contrast to pragmatics?

<p>Literal meaning of words and sentences (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to be meticulous in observing others while they speak?

<p>To discern deeper meanings and intentions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of language does pragmatics most directly enhance?

<p>Understanding of language manipulations (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What might happen if there is a lack of pragmatics in communication?

<p>Intentions and meanings may be misunderstood (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are sentences containing presuppositions not admissible in court?

<p>They imply guilt regardless of the answer. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of deixis?

<p>I am over there. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of studying presuppositions in communication?

<p>To identify hidden biases in statements. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which expression exemplifies presupposition?

<p>Have you stopped eating sweets? (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a deictic expression?

<p>Everybody (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one effect of deixis in language?

<p>It can lead to misunderstandings. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of context in deixis?

<p>It clarifies who or what is being referred to. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences contains ambiguity?

<p>I saw the man with the telescope. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Word Meaning Beyond Dictionary

Understanding words involves more than just their dictionary definitions. It includes how they're used in sentences, social contexts, and alternative meanings.

Collocation

The tendency of words to combine with other specific words.

Collocation Examples

"Flock of sheep" and "school of fish" are examples of how certain words naturally pair with others (collocate) though they describe the same concept (group).

Set Phrase

A phrase consisting of specific words put together in a specific way, often with a fixed meaning.

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Set Phrase (Collocation)

A set phrase that still makes sense when each word is considered literally.

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Set Phrase (Idiom)

A set phrase where the overall meaning is different from the literal meanings of the individual words.

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Idiom Examples

Phrases like "white elephant sale," "to see red," and "break a leg" are idioms, as their meanings aren't related to the individual words' meanings

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Meaning as Linguistic Category

Meaning isn't purely a matter of real-world concepts; it's also a linguistic concept determined by how words combine and are used.

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Componential Analysis

Defining a word by breaking it down into its component parts or features.

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Lexical Fields

Grouping words with related meanings into a network.

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Hyponym

A specific type of a more general term.

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Meronym

A part of a whole.

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Synonyms

Words with similar meanings.

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Antonyms

Words with opposite meanings.

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Homonyms

Words with the same spelling or pronunciation, but different meanings.

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Homographs

Words spelled identically, possibly pronounced differently.

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Connotative Semantics

The figurative meaning of a word, including associated ideas and emotions.

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Denotative Semantics

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, without associated meanings.

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Pragmatics

The study of how sentences are used in context, considering speaker's intent and context.

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Pragmatic Meaning

The intended meaning of an utterance, not just the literal meaning in its semantic definition.

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Speech Act Theory

A part of pragmatics, examining the actions performed through language, such as promising, requesting, apologizing.

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Conversational Implicature

The implied meaning in a conversation that is not explicitly stated.

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Context of Utterance

The situation, time, place, etc. surrounding an utterance.

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Semantics

The study of language meaning, focusing on literal meanings.

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Performative Sentence

A sentence that performs an action by being uttered, like appointing someone or issuing a challenge.

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Herby Test

A way to identify performative sentences by inserting 'I hereby' before the verb. If the sentence makes sense, it's performative.

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Indirect Speech Act

Using a sentence structure other than a direct question to ask a question or make a request.

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Direct Question

A question using traditional question word order. E.g., 'Is Jenny getting 95%?'

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Speech Act Meaning

The intended action of a sentence, even if it's not the literal meaning.

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Literal Meaning

The dictionary definition of the words in a sentence.

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Conventional Indirect Requests

Requests disguised as questions about the listener's knowledge or ability.

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Uncooperative Answer

A response that doesn't address the intended meaning of an indirect speech act.

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Ambiguity

When a word, phrase, or sentence can have multiple interpretations. The meaning is unclear without context.

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Deeper Meaning

The intended meaning of a word or phrase, considering the speaker's intention and context.

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How does pragmatics differ from semantics?

Semantics focuses on the literal meaning of words and phrases, while pragmatics looks at the intended meaning based on context, speaker's intention, and social cues.

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Why is pragmatics important?

Pragmatics helps us understand how people communicate, how they influence each other, and how they use language strategically.

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Example of Pragmatic Meaning

The example shows how the meaning of a sentence changes based on the speaker's intention and context.

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Presuppositions in Court

Sentences containing presuppositions are inadmissible in court because acknowledging the validity of the statement would also mean accepting the presupposition as true, even if it's not proven.

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Deixis

Reference to a person, object, or event that relies heavily on the context of the situation.

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Deictic Pronouns

Pronouns like "I", "you", "we", and "us" are deictic because their meaning is completely dependent on the context of the situation.

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Deictic Demonstratives

Words like "this", "that", "these", and "those" are deictic because their meaning depends on the context of the situation.

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Deictic Time & Place

Expressions of time and place (e.g., "now", "here") are deictic because their meaning depends on when and where the utterance was said.

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Avoiding Ambiguity

Understanding the deeper meaning of sentences and avoiding ambiguity is crucial in communication and legal settings.

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Oral Recitation

An effective learning strategy where one practices by speaking aloud to enhance comprehension and recall.

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Transcript Analysis

Examining written records of conversations to understand the context and meanings behind the utterances.

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Study Notes

Semantics: The Meanings of Words, Phrases, and Sentences

  • Semantics is the study of the meaning of words and sentences in a language
  • It considers the literal meanings of words as parts of the language system
  • It deals with the levels of words, phrases, sentences, or discourse units
  • The relationship between words and meaning is a core theme
  • Branches include formal semantics (logical aspects), lexical semantics (word meanings and relations), and conceptual semantics (cognitive structure of meaning)
  • Semantics is a broad field with various methods to describe semantic knowledge

Two Basic Divisions

  • Lexical Semantics: Studies word meaning, relationships between words, personal experiences, and how syntax influences word meaning.
  • Phrasal/Compositional Semantics: Studies how the meaning of phrases and sentences is constructed from individual words

How Meaning Affects Word Associations

  • Collocability refers to the restrictions on how words combine in phrases
  • There are different collocations for word pairs: (eg. flock of sheep, school of fish)

Semantic Relationships Between Words

  • Hyponym: A hierarchical relationship where a general term has specific subordinate terms
  • Meronym: A hierarchical relationship where a whole has parts
  • Synonyms: Words with the same meaning (eg. violet - purple)
  • Antonyms: Words with opposite meanings (eg. comfort-torment)
  • Complementary Pairs: Mutually exclusive opposites (eg. alive-dead)
  • Gradable Pairs: Opposites along a spectrum (eg. big-small)
  • Homonyms: Words with the same spelling/pronunciation but different meanings (eg. four-for)
  • Heteronyms: Words spelled identically but pronounced differently (eg. dove (bird)-dove (past tense))
  • Metonymy: A word used in place of another to convey the same meaning
  • Retronyms: Expressions that are no longer redundant

Semantic Change

  • Generalization: A word's meaning becomes more general
  • Specialization: A word's meaning becomes more specific
  • Metaphorical Extension: A word is used in a new context metaphorically
  • Euphemism: A milder term substituted for a harsh one
  • Dysphemism: A stronger term used to make something sound worse
  • Pejoration: Negative connotation develops over time
  • Amelioration: Positive connotation develops over time

Compositionality

  • Sentence meaning is derived from the meaning of its parts
  • Context plays a crucial role in understanding sentence meaning
  • Meaning is inferred from idioms, shared cultural experiences or sayings, and original contexts

Sentential Meaning

  • Sentences are built from the meaning of noun phrases and verbs
  • They contain truth conditions (if the circumstances described in the sentence are true)
  • Paraphrases have the same truth conditions but different structures/emphasis

Theories in Linguistic Semantics

  • Formal Semantics: Focuses on domain-specific mental operations in computing sentence meaning based on syntactic structure
  • Conceptual Semantics: Explains syntactic properties of phrases in relation to word meanings
  • Cognitive Semantics: Explains meaning from the perspective of cognitive linguistics, focusing on general human cognitive abilities
  • Lexical Semantics: Investigates word meaning that is fully reflected by its context and contextual relations. It considers degrees of participation and modes of participation

Semantics in Literature

  • Semantics plays a role in analyzing how readers comprehend literature
  • It clarifies the sense of a sentence, considering whether word meanings are literal or figurative.

Types of Semantics

  • Connotative Semantics: Figurative meaning/associations
  • Denotative Semantics: Literal meaning

Pragmatics: How Sentences Are Used In Context

  • Pragmatics studies how language is used in social contexts
  • It considers speaker's meaning, contextual meaning, and the ways people produce/understand meaning
  • It looks beyond the literal meaning to consider implied meaning, pre-existing knowledge, and the speaker's intent
  • Discourse Markers: Words that connect phrases/sentences in conversation
  • Style of speaking varies across social settings and purposes
  • Code Switching: Switching between dialects/languages in a conversation or sentence

Speech Acts

  • Locutionary Acts: Basic, surface meaning of a statement
  • Illocutionary Acts: Intended underlying meaning/conventional force
  • Perlocutionary Acts: Effect of the statement on the hearer

Direct Speech Acts

  • Three main special syntactic types (declarative, interrogative, imperative)

Indirect Speech Acts

  • An indirect way of communicating a message, often implied in context.

Presuppositions

  • Assumptions required to make a sentence meaningful
  • Used in court, and can mean accepting presuppositions as valid before making judgments

Deixis

  • Reference that is dependent on context (e.g., "here", "now")

Rhetorical Structure

  • Relationship between phrases/sentences in a discourse
  • More widely described than syntax but less commonly studied.

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Handout - Semantics and Pragmatics PDF

Description

Test your knowledge of key concepts in linguistics, including collocations, idioms, and the distinctions between semantics and pragmatics. This quiz covers definitions, characteristics, and notable contributions in the field. Perfect for students and linguistics enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding.

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