Semantics and Pragmatics Lecture 1
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Questions and Answers

What is the significance of breaking down language into levels of structural organization?

It allows linguists to analyze and study language more effectively.

What does the field of phonetics primarily study?

Phonetics studies the characteristics of speech sounds, including how they are produced and transmitted.

What distinguishes voiced sounds from voiceless sounds in phonetics?

Voiced sounds involve vocal cord vibration, while voiceless sounds do not.

What is the main textbook used in the Semantics and Pragmatics course?

<p>The main textbook is 'Semantics' by I. John Saeed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

When are the lectures for the Winter semester conducted?

<p>The lectures are held on Fridays at 11:00.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of phonetics in terms of speech sounds?

<p>Phonetics focuses on how speech sounds are produced, transmitted, and heard.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What types of assignments can students expect during the semester?

<p>There will be a few optional assignments that do not form part of the evaluation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Do all authentic performances of Macbeth use the same sentence to begin?

<p>No</p> Signup and view all the answers

Is it accurate to say that all authentic performances of Macbeth begin with the same utterance?

<p>No</p> Signup and view all the answers

Does it make sense to discuss the time and place of a sentence?

<p>No</p> Signup and view all the answers

Can one meaningfully talk about the time and place of an utterance?

<p>Yes</p> Signup and view all the answers

Is it possible to describe a sentence as loud?

<p>No</p> Signup and view all the answers

Can we say that an utterance can be slow?

<p>Yes</p> Signup and view all the answers

Do all authentic performances of Macbeth share the same opening line?

<p>No</p> Signup and view all the answers

Is it valid to analyze a sentence's context of time and place?

<p>No</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the least abstract form of language according to the information provided?

<p>Utterance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is a sentence defined in the context of utterances, sentences, and propositions?

<p>A sentence is an abstract grammatical structure derived from utterances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes propositions from utterances and sentences?

<p>Propositions are the most abstract and exist independently of specific contexts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a specific utterance mentioned in the text.

<p>'Hello!' is an example of an utterance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does context play in the relationship between a sentence and an utterance?

<p>A sentence paired with context forms an utterance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What grammatical rules are involved in the formation of a proposition?

<p>A proposition is a well-formed string of words according to grammatical rules.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the phrase 'Caesar invaded Gaul' in understanding propositions?

<p>'Caesar invaded Gaul' is an example of a sentence that conveys a complete thought.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the relationship between utterances and sentences according to the content.

<p>Utterances are created by speaking sentences, which are abstract elements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the conventional distinction between literal and non-literal language?

<p>Literal language is precise and unambiguous, while non-literal language is figurative and often imprecise.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of a figurative expression found in the text.

<p>'He was in a state of shock after the election result.'</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the text describe the nature of figurative language?

<p>Figurative language is described as 'exotic' or 'literary' and is often the realm of poets and novelists.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain how time is conveyed figuratively in the examples provided.

<p>Time is conveyed through expressions like 'Christmas is approaching,' indicating movement or progression towards a date.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does metaphor play in understanding language according to the content?

<p>Metaphor allows individuals to understand one concept in terms of another without suggesting they are the same.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the phrase 'the economy is going from bad to worse' in terms of language use?

<p>'The economy is going from bad to worse' is a figurative expression representing a negative trend in economic conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental difference between an utterance and a proposition?

<p>An utterance is a specific expression or sentence in context, while a proposition is the abstract idea or meaning conveyed by that expression.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Identify a conventional means of talking about time from the text.

<p>'We’re moving towards Christmas.'</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain how different sentences can express the same proposition.

<p>Different sentences can use varied syntax or phrasing to convey the same underlying meaning, exemplified by the sentences 'Caesar invaded Gaul' and 'Gaul was invaded by Caesar.'</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the propositional content of the sentence 'It was the shopkeeper who had reduced the prices'?

<p>The propositional content is that the shopkeeper is the one responsible for reducing the prices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the implication of maintaining a sharp distinction between literal and non-literal language.

<p>Maintaining a sharp distinction may overlook the complexities and nuances in how language actually functions in communication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can non-literal language differ from literal meaning based on the provided content?

<p>Non-literal language, like 'I could eat a horse,' implies exaggeration or metaphor rather than a direct statement of hunger.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What might the conversation between A and B imply beyond the literal meaning of their statements?

<p>B's response suggests they don't need to worry about shopping due to their weekend plans, which implies a decision to manage food acquisition differently.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the distinction between literal and non-literal language considered important in communication?

<p>This distinction is crucial for accurately interpreting messages and understanding the speaker's intent.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does context play in determining the meaning of an utterance?

<p>Context provides the necessary background and situational factors that help interpret the intended meaning of an utterance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on your understanding, how would you express the proposition 'The shopkeeper had reduced the prices' using different sentences?

<p>You could say 'The prices were lowered by the shopkeeper' or 'It was the shopkeeper who lowered the prices.'</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define phonology and give an example of a sound combination that English speakers do not pronounce.

<p>Phonology is the study of the sounds a language has and how these sounds combine. An example is the combination /pt/ at the start of a word, as in 'pterodactyl', where the /p/ is typically not pronounced.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is morphology, and how is the word 'unhappiness' analyzed morphologically?

<p>Morphology is the study of the internal structure of words. The word 'unhappiness' can be broken down into three parts: un + happy + ness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain syntax and provide an example of an ungrammatical sentence.

<p>Syntax is the study of how words combine to form sentences. An example of an ungrammatical sentence is '*letter up pick at o’clock will the five I.'</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is semantics and how does it differ from pragmatics?

<p>Semantics is the study of the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences, while pragmatics focuses on what speakers mean in context. For example, interpreting 'I will find you' as a threat or promise shows pragmatic understanding.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe entailment in semantics and provide an example with the consent of two sentences.

<p>Entailment in semantics refers to a situation where one statement logically follows from another. For example, 'The anarchist assassinated the emperor' entails 'The emperor died.'</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does context play in pragmatics?

<p>Context is crucial in pragmatics as it helps determine the intended meaning behind an utterance. For instance, the phrase 'I will find you' could be interpreted differently based on the context.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between contradiction and entailment in semantics?

<p>Contradiction occurs when two statements cannot both be true, while entailment means one statement guarantees the truth of another. For example, 'Athens is the capital of Greece' and 'Athens is not the capital of Greece' are contradictory.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Illustrate the concept of semantic entailment with a specific example involving a verb.

<p>If 'X kills Y' is true, then it entails that 'Y dies' is also true, as killing implies death. This applies to other actions like 'assassinate' or 'shoot' leading to the entailment of death as well.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Phonetics

The study of the characteristics of speech sounds, like how they are produced, transmitted, and heard. It does not care about meaning or syntax; it focuses solely on sounds.

Phonology

The study of how sounds are organized into meaningful units (words, phrases). It focuses on how sounds combine to create meaning and how they are represented in writing.

Semantics

The field of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences. It examines how meaning is conveyed through language.

Pragmatics

The study of the relationship between language and context. It explores how meaning is interpreted based on the situation, speaker, and listener.

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Language

A complete system of communication used by a particular group of people, usually defined geographically or culturally.

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Lexicon

The smallest unit of meaning in a language; a word.

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Syntax

The way words are arranged in a sentence to convey meaning.

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Interconnected Levels of Language

The levels of language analysis, like phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, are not separate but rather interconnected and work together to create meaningful communication.

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Morphology

The study of the internal structure of words.

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Contradiction

Two statements that cannot both be true at the same time.

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Entailment

If one sentence (A) entails another sentence (B), then knowing A automatically means knowing B.

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Linguistic Competence

Your understanding of a language's sounds, word structure, sentence formation, meaning, and how context influences meaning.

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Utterance

A specific instance of speech or writing, produced by a speaker or writer at a particular time and place.

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Proposition

The meaning of a sentence, independent of any particular context of use.

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Sentence

A pairing of a sentence and a context.

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Utterance

The least abstract level of language.

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Proposition

The most abstract level of language.

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Sentence

The pairing of a sentence and a context.

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Sentence

A well-formed string of words put together according to the grammatical rules of a language.

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Sentence

Abstract grammatical elements obtained from utterances.

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Time and Place of a Sentence

A sentence, as a grammatical construct, is abstract and exists independent of time and space.

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Time and Place of an Utterance

An utterance, as a spoken event, occurs in a specific time and place.

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Loud Sentence

A sentence is a written or spoken unit of language, not a physical event.

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Slow Utterance

An utterance is a spoken event, and its delivery can be loud or soft, fast or slow.

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Authentic Performances of Macbeth

In different performances of "Macbeth", the actors use different words to deliver their lines.

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Utterance in Macbeth

The first utterance in authentic performances of "Macbeth", even if spoken by different actors, is always the same.

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Multiple Sentences, Same Proposition

Different sentences can actually express the same underlying proposition or idea.

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Literal Meaning

Literal meaning refers to the direct and intended meaning of words.

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Non-Literal Meaning

Non-literal meaning involves figurative language, where words are used with a meaning beyond their literal sense.

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Speaker Meaning vs. Proposition

The speaker's intended message can be broader than the proposition they express.

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Utterances and Propositions

The concept that different utterances, while grammatically distinct, can still express the same underlying proposition or idea.

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Literal Language

The way in which language is typically used for communication.

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Non-Literal Language

Language used in a way that goes beyond its literal meaning, often relying on figurative language and interpretations.

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Traditional Position on Literal and Non-Literal Language

The traditional view that there is a clear divide between literal and non-literal language.

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Metaphor

A way of understanding something as something else, without actually believing they are the same.

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Metaphorical Nature of Language

The idea that even seemingly literal language can be understood as metaphorical.

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Spatial Metaphor of Time

The way in which we can use spatial concepts to describe and understand time.

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Simile

A type of figurative language that uses a comparison (usually with 'like' or 'as') to create an image.

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Hyperbole

A type of figurative language that uses exaggeration to create emphasis or humor.

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Study Notes

Course Information

  • Course Title: Semantics and Pragmatics
  • Course Code: ΓΛ2-210
  • Lecturer: Thanasis Georgakopoulos
  • Semester: Winter 2023-2024
  • Lecture 1: Introducing Semantics and Pragmatics
  • Date: October 4, 2024
  • Location: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Lecture Slides and Resources

  • Lecture slides available on Elearning platform
  • Main textbook: Saeed, I. John. 2003 [or 2009 or 2015] Semantics. Oxford: Blackwell.
  • Additional references will be provided during each class or available on the module's Elearning site.
  • Lecture schedule and dates of specific topics are provided on page 6.

Instructor Information

Course Structure

  • Number of lectures: 13
  • Lecture day: Fridays
  • Lecture time: 11:00
  • Assessment method: Written exam
  • Optional assignments: available but not part of the final grade

Syllabus Outline

  • A detailed schedule of weekly topics with dates is provided on page 6. Specific dates and week-by-week outline of topics are provided in the syllabus.

Key Concepts Overview

  • Introductory concepts: Semantics, Pragmatics
  • Other key concepts: Lexical relations & Lexical universals; Resources for cross-linguistic semantic research; Cognitive Semantics, Metonymy, Prototypes, Metaphors, and radial networks; Sentence relations and Truth; Sentence semantics I: Situations; tense, aspect, mood, modality; Sentence semantics II: Participants; thematic roles; Deixis; Conversational Implicature; Co-operative principle; Gricean maxims; Functions of language: Speech as Action; Semantic Change and Pragmatic Change; Final Remarks, and a final exam.
  • Supporting concepts: Sense, reference; Utterances, sentences, propositions, (e.g. literal vs. non-literal meaning), and exercises to demonstrate concepts.

Additional Information

  • A syllabus with weekly topics and dates is included.
  • Additional information to distinguish between different levels of vocabulary ("words"), including sounds as an element of language; sentences; & phrases.
  • Specific examples for study, such as ‘the lamp is above the table," ‘the house is on fire’ etc are included.
  • A 'puzzle' (exercises) section with example questions and potential answers is included.

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Lecture 1 Introducing Semantics and Pragmatics 2023-2024 PDF

Description

This quiz is based on the first lecture of the Semantics and Pragmatics course, covering the fundamental concepts of semantics and pragmatics. It includes key definitions and theoretical foundations that will guide students through the course material. Prepare for a better understanding of how meaning is constructed and communicated.

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