40 Questions
What is the purpose of a definition in a conceptual theory of meaning?
To establish a close link between concepts and definitions, where knowing a concept is equivalent to understanding its definition.
What is the relationship between a word's meaning and its definition?
A word's meaning is closely linked to its definition, and understanding a word's definition is necessary to grasp its meaning.
What is the significance of Aristotle in the context of definition?
Aristotle was the first to explicitly explore definition in Greek philosophy.
What is the purpose of nominal definitions in a linguistic context?
Nominal definitions establish a consistent and precise meaning for a term, contributing to linguistic consistency and clarity.
How does a definition influence our understanding of a concept?
A definition helps to establish a clear and specific meaning for a concept, enabling us to accurately use and understand the associated word.
What is the primary difference between a dictionary and a thesaurus, according to semasiological approaches?
A dictionary is a list of words, whereas a thesaurus is a list of concepts.
What is the fundamental question that needs to be addressed in associating meanings with forms in language?
What are the minimal meaning-bearing units of language?
Why is the definition of 'word' based on standard orthography insufficient for understanding wordhood in language?
This definition is limited because languages with recent writing systems often have a fluid practice of word division, and the definition does not account for this variability.
What is the significance of recognizing meanings both above and below the word level in linguistic analysis?
It is essential to recognize meanings at multiple levels to avoid ambiguities about the level of grammatical structure to which meaning is correctly attributed.
What is the primary goal of understanding the principles of wordhood in linguistic analysis?
To determine what units of language should be ascribed meanings to, especially in unfamiliar languages.
What is the primary task of linguistic semantics according to the traditional view?
specifying the stored meaning representation associated with each lexeme in the mental lexicon
What approach to definition starts with a language's individual lexemes and tries to specify the meaning of each one?
word-based or semasiological approach
What is the term for the stock of words and associated meanings in our brain?
mental lexicon
What is the opposite approach to the word-based approach to definition?
onomasiological approach
What is the term for the process of accessing a word's meaning in the mental lexicon?
mapping ideas onto stored meaning representations
What is the limitation of defining a word by its context or typical exemplar?
It may not be successful as an extensional definition, leaving the essential nature of the word's meaning to be worked out by the definition's addressee, and carrying the risk that the wrong meaning may be inferred.
What is the problem with using 'mad' and 'furious' as synonyms for 'angry'?
Mad also means 'insane' and furious means 'very angry', which are not the same as the meaning of angry.
What is the goal of a definition in terms of substitutability, according to most semantic theories?
The substitution of the definiens for the definiendum should be truth-preserving in all contexts.
What is the issue with defining a word like 'bocal' through its connections with other words?
It may not be clear what features or characteristics 'bocal' shares with other words, such as jars and conserve pots, that define its meaning.
What is the key difference between relational definitions and extensional definitions?
Relational definitions focus on the connections between words, while extensional definitions aim to provide a clear and precise meaning of a word.
What is the role of the definition's addressee in determining the meaning of a word?
The addressee must infer the meaning of the word from the definition, which can lead to errors or ambiguities if the definition is not clear or accurate.
What is the significance of the definiendum in a definition?
The definiendum is the word, phrase, or symbol being defined, and understanding its meaning is the goal of the definition.
What is the limitation of using synonyms to define a word?
Synonyms may not capture the full range of meanings or connotations of the word, and may introduce ambiguities or errors.
What is the importance of genus and differentia in defining a word?
Genus and differentia provide a way to define a word by situating it in a system of wider relations and specifying its unique characteristics.
What is the challenge of defining a word in a scientific or technical context?
The definition must be precise and accurate, to avoid ambiguity or errors in the application of the word or concept.
What is the primary concern before starting a definition, according to the chapter?
Identifying the meaning-bearing units of the language that require definition.
What type of definition focuses on defining things or concepts, rather than meanings?
Real definition.
What is the term for definitions that rely on gestures or demonstrations to convey meaning?
Definition by ostension.
In what type of definitions is a concept defined in terms of its genus and differentia?
Definition by genus and differentia.
What is the distinction between cognitive and extensional definitions?
Cognitive definitions focus on the meaning of a concept, while extensional definitions focus on the set of objects or instances to which the concept applies.
What is the concept referred to as the existence of semi-systematic correspondences between certain sounds and certain meanings?
linguistic consistency
According to Aristotle, what are the two interpretations of a definition?
a summation of the essence or inherent nature of a thing and a description of the meaning of the word which denotes this thing
What is the method of definition that involves pointing out the objects which a word denotes?
definition by ostension
What is the term used to describe phrases whose overall meaning is not the same as the combined meaning of the individual parts?
idioms
What is the type of definition that focuses on the meaning of a word, rather than its essential nature or inherent properties?
nominal definition
How do scientists, like metallurgists, rely on fixed definitions in their field?
Scientists rely on fixed definitions to ensure clarity and consistency in their field, enabling them to communicate effectively and avoid confusion.
What is the significance of nominal definitions in everyday language use?
Nominal definitions are not typically required in everyday language use, but they become essential when clarifying the meaning of a word is necessary.
Why are clear definitions crucial in juridical contexts, such as in the law?
Clear definitions are essential in juridical contexts to establish precise meanings of terms like murder, contract, or fraud, ensuring consistent application of the law.
How do concepts and word meanings relate to definitions, according to the text?
Concepts correspond to word meanings, and word meanings can be captured in definitions, implying that definitions are activated during language use.
What is the limitation of defining a word like 'water' extensionally as H2O?
Defining 'water' as H2O may not be effective in conveying the word's meaning if the recipient lacks knowledge of chemistry.
Explore the relationships between sounds and meanings in language, including idioms and non-compositional phrases. Learn about different approaches to defining meaning and the boundaries of meaning characterization.
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