File 6 Semantics

Question 1

Semantics

Answer 1

The study of meaning in language.

Question 2

Speaker-reference

Answer 2

is what the speaker is referring to by using some linguistic expression.

Question 3

Linguistic-reference

Answer 3

is the systematic denotation of some linguistic expression as part of a language.

Question 4

referent

Answer 4

The thing referred to in a sentence.

Question 5

sense

Answer 5

its relations to other words in the language system.

Question 6

Word

Answer 6

Element of Speech or writing.

Question 7

Meaning

Answer 7

information that someone intends to convey.

Question 8

Extension

Answer 8

refers to the set of all potential referents for a referring expression.

Question 9

prototype

Answer 9

A typical member of the extension of a referring expression is a prototype of that expression.

Question 10

stereotype

Answer 10

A list of characteristics describing a prototype is said to be a stereotype.

Question 11

Coreference

Answer 11

Two linguistic expressions that refer to the same real-world entity are said to be coreferential.

Question 12

Anaphora

Answer 12

A linguistic expression that refers to another linguistic expression is said to be anaphoric or an anaphor.

Question 13

Deixis

Answer 13

A deictic expression has one meaning but can refer to different entities depending on
the speaker and his or her spatial and temporal orientation

Question 14

The Principle of Compositionality

Answer 14

The semantic meaning of any unit of language is determined by the semantic
meanings of its parts along with the way they are put together

Question 15

Denotative meaning

Answer 15

The logical meaning, which indicates the essential qualities of a concept which distinguish it
from other concepts.

Question 16

Connotative meaning

Answer 16

The additional or associated meaning, which is attached to the denotative, conceptual
meaning. It consists of associations made with a concept whenever that concept is referred to.

Question 17

Social meaning

Answer 17

It is the meaning that a word possesses by virtue of its use in particular social situations and
circumstances.

Question 18

Thematic meaning

Answer 18

It lies in the manner in which a message is organized for emphasis.

Question 19

The Theory of Naming

Answer 19

This theory, explained in Plato‟s dialogue Cratylus maintains that language is a
communication system which works with two elements; the signifier, and the signified.

Question 20

The Conceptual Theory of Meaning

Answer 20

In the theory of meaning, just explained, words and things are directly related.

Question 21

The Behavioristic Theory of Meaning

Answer 21

The term context of situation is used by two scholars, first by an anthropologist called Malinowski, and later by a British linguist called Firth

Question 22

Experiencer

Answer 22

When an NP designates an entity as the person who has a feeling, apperception or a state, it fills the role
of experience.

Question 23

Synonymy

Answer 23

Two or more forms with very closely related meanings, which are often, but not always,
intersubstitutable in sentences.

Question 24

Antonymy

Answer 24

Two forms with opposite meanings are called antonyms

Question 25

Gradable- A type of Antonymy

Answer 25

They can be used in comparative constructions.

Question 26

Non-Gradable (complementary pairs)-A type of Antonymy

Answer 26

They are not normally used in comparative constructions and the negative
of one member does imply the other; e.g. not dead means alive.

Question 27

hyponymy

Answer 27

When the meaning of one form is included in the meaning of another, the relationship is called
hyponymy.

Question 28

Homophony

Answer 28

When two or more differently written forms have the same pronunciation but different meaning; e.g.
sea-see.

Question 29

Homography

Answer 29

When two or more forms are the same only in writing but different in pronunciation and meaning they
are described as homographs such as lead ([lid]) and lead ([led]).

Question 30

Polysemy

Answer 30

It can be defined as one form (written or spoken) having multiple meanings which are all related by
extension. e.g. head refers to top of your body, top of a glass of beer, top of a company