Linguistics: Semantics and Meaning

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary concern of semantics in linguistic analysis?

To study the human capacity to think logically

To understand the sound patterns of language

To give a systematic account of the nature of meaning (correct)

To analyze the organization of words and sentences

What is neglected in some handbooks of contemporary semantic theory?

Syntax and pragmatics

Meanings of lexical units (correct)

Phonology and morphology

Formal semantics

What is the core question addressed at the level of semantics?

How is language used to express meanings?

How do we create meaning through language?

How is language organized to convey meaningful messages? (correct)

How do we think logically and understand?

What is the relationship between meaning and the human capacity?

Meaning is closely related to human capacity to think logically Signup and view all the answers

At which level of linguistic analysis is meaning analyzed?

Semantics Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of semantics in linguistic analysis?

The study of meaning in language Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the book in terms of language?

The English language Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinctive feature of the book's presentation?

Technical terms are introduced in bold Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the asterisk symbol in the book?

It indicates a phrase or sentence that is not acceptable in English Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of learning linguistics, according to the book?

Heavy involvement with data Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of practice exercises in every chapter?

To lead students to examine their own use of the English language Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible outcome of some practice exercises, according to the book?

Speakers of English may not entirely agree about some meaning Signup and view all the answers

What is the central theme of the course, according to the book?

The study of meaning Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of the course, according to the book?

To introduce principles of linguistic semantics Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between semantics and pragmatics, according to some accounts?

Semantics studies meaning in abstraction, while pragmatics studies meaning in context Signup and view all the answers

Which sub-discipline of linguistics is concerned with the study of meaning in social situations?

Sociolinguistics Signup and view all the answers

What is the traditional view of semantics, lasting into the 1960s?

The study of meaning in the lexicon alone Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between semantics and morphology, according to the text?

Semantics is informed by morphology Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of pragmatics, according to some accounts?

The study of meaning in context Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the study of meaning in language?

Semantics Signup and view all the answers

How did Breal and Bloomfield view semantics in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, respectively?

As an emerging science opposed to phonetics Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between semantics and other sub-disciplines of linguistics, according to the text?

Semantics is informed by other sub-disciplines Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Semantics

Semantics is the study of meaning in language, examining how meanings are created and understood.
It is an important part of understanding how language works as a whole.

Relationship with Other Sub-disciplines

Semantics informs other sub-disciplines, such as Language Acquisition, to understand how speakers acquire a sense of meaning.
It also informs Sociolinguistics, as the achievement of meaning in language is important in social situations.
Semantics is informed by other sub-disciplines, such as Morphology, to understand the words themselves and their meaning.
Syntax is also used extensively to reveal how meaning is constructed.

Definition and Scope of Semantics

Semantics is the study of meaning, seen as an emerging science in the late 19th century.
It was initially seen as the study of meaning in the lexicon alone, but later expanded to include the study of meaning in abstraction from context.
Some restrict semantics to the study of meaning in abstraction from context, while others include pragmatics as one of its branches.

Importance of Semantics

Semantics is the level of linguistic analysis where meaning is analyzed.
It is the most abstract level of linguistic analysis, as meaning cannot be seen or observed like sounds.
Meaning is closely related to the human capacity to think logically and understand.

Goals of Semantics

Semantics aims to give a systematic account of the nature of meaning.
It seeks to answer the question "How is language organized in order to be meaningful?"

Course Book Overview

The course book is intended to introduce principles of linguistic semantics.
It focuses on the English language and its lexical and grammatical devices for expressing meanings.
The book aims to provide students with a sense of what semantics is about and how semantic analysis is done.

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Description

Explore the study of semantics in linguistics, understanding how meaning is created and interpreted in language, and its importance in language acquisition and sociolinguistics.