Sense and Reference Theories of Meaning

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Questions and Answers

According to the representational theory, what does the 'semiotic triangle' consist of?

World, sense, reference

Language, reference, sense

Language, mind, world (correct)

Mind, reference, sense

What does the representational theory distinguish between?

Language and sense

Sense and reference (correct)

Reference and world

Mind and language

Why is the representational theory considered more convincing than the referential theory?

Because it includes everything about language, mind, and world

Because all words have general senses even if not all have referents (correct)

Because it overlooks dictionary definitions and general senses

Because it focuses on unicorns and clear referents

What is the relationship between the thesis (language) and the university experience (world) according to the text?

Thesis includes everything about the world Signup and view all the answers

Why does the representational theory argue that it's important to make a distinction between sense and reference?

To highlight that not all words have real-world referents Signup and view all the answers

What is one piece of evidence provided in support of the representational theory?

'Unicorn' as a word without a clear referent Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between sense and reference?

Sense refers to abstract relationships while reference refers to concrete relationships. Signup and view all the answers

According to the referential theory of meaning, where does a linguistic sign derive its meaning from?

Referring to something in reality Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following nouns are convincing examples for the referential theory?

Table, university, Messi Signup and view all the answers

Why does the referential theory of meaning fall short according to the text?

It cannot account for discussing non-existent things like unicorns. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of linguistics, what do common nouns primarily refer to?

Concrete objects in the world Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of the referential theory when it comes to discussing non-existent entities?

It assumes all linguistic signs have a clear reference. Signup and view all the answers

What is denotation often referred to as in the text?

Applied sense Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the relationship between words and specific things in context?

Denotation Signup and view all the answers

What sense relation involves words with close similarity of meaning?

Synonymy Signup and view all the answers

What does hyponymy refer to in semantics?

Relations of inclusion Signup and view all the answers

Why do English words have rich synonyms according to the text?

Influence from Anglo-Saxon and French languages Signup and view all the answers

What must two expressions that are perfect synonyms always have according to the text?

Same denotation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Representational Theory and the Semiotic Triangle

The semiotic triangle consists of a word (symbol), its meaning (sense), and the actual object it refers to (reference).
Representational theory distinguishes between sense (the meaning or concept associated with a word) and reference (the actual entity the word points to).

Comparison with Referential Theory

Representational theory is considered more convincing than referential theory as it accounts for abstract concepts and allows for nuanced understanding of meaning.
Language (thesis) and university experience (world) are interrelated; language shapes our understanding of experiences, and experiences inform the language we use.

Importance of Distinction

The distinction between sense and reference is vital to capture the complexity of language meaning, especially when discussing words that may not correspond to real objects.

Evidence Supporting Representational Theory

An example supporting the representational theory includes the discussion of words that have meaning even in the absence of a corresponding object, such as fictional characters.

Meanings in Referential Theory

According to referential theory, a linguistic sign derives its meaning from its direct association with a real-world object or entity.

Limitations of Referential Theory

Referential theory struggles with non-existent entities, failing to adequately explain how we can meaningfully refer to things that do not exist.
Denotation is often referred to as the direct relationship between a word and its meaning in context.

Context of Linguistics

Common nouns primarily refer to general classes or categories rather than specific entities.
A major limitation of the referential theory is its inability to address meanings and references when dealing with hypothetical or fictional entities.

Semantic Relationships

The term that describes the relationship between words and specific things in context is referentiality.
Synonymy is a sense relation involving words that are closely similar in meaning.
Hyponymy refers to a semantic relationship where one term is a subcategory (e.g., "rose" is a hyponym of "flower").

Synonyms and Language Richness

English has rich synonyms due to its extensive vocabulary and influences from various languages.
Perfect synonyms must always have identical meaning and interchangeable usage in all contexts.

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Description

Explore the concepts of sense and reference in linguistics, and the relationship between linguistic signs and concepts as well as specific things in the world. Delve into the two theories of meaning and the purpose of language in naming or referring to things in the non-linguistic world.