5 Questions
What semantic feature must a noun have to be used in the sentence 'The ___________ were discussing what to do'?
[+ human]
How would you explain the oddness of the sentence 'The television drank my water' using semantic features?
The verb drink requires a subject with the feature [+animate] and the noun television has the feature [-animate].
What phrase is used more often instead of 'thematic roles' in semantic analysis of noun phrases?
Semantic roles
What kind of opposites can be identified via the 'negative test'?
Non-gradable antonyms
How is the term 'prototype' used in semantics?
The prototype is the most common example within a category.
Study Notes
Semantic Features of Nouns
- A noun must have the semantic feature of [+ animate] or [+ human] to be used in the sentence 'The ___________ were discussing what to do', as it implies the ability to discuss or have a conversation.
Semantic Analysis of Sentences
- The sentence 'The television drank my water' is semantically odd because 'television' lacks the semantic feature [+ animate] or [+ living], which is required for the action of drinking.
Thematic Roles in Semantic Analysis
- Instead of 'thematic roles', the phrase 'theta roles' is commonly used in semantic analysis of noun phrases to describe the roles played by entities in a sentence, such as agent, theme, or goal.
Negative Test in Semantics
- The 'negative test' is used to identify antonyms, which are a type of opposite, by verifying if the negation of one word implies the other.
Prototype Theory in Semantics
- In semantics, a 'prototype' refers to a central or typical instance of a category that represents the most characteristic features of that category, with other instances being more or less similar to the prototype.
Test your understanding of semantics with this answer key for study questions. Explore the semantic features of nouns and their usage in sentences.
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