Intoroduction To Semantics

Question 1

Definitions of Semantics

Answer 1

(Leech,1981)
Semantics is concerned itself with giving a systematic account of the nature of meaning

(Saeed,2003)
Semantics is the study of meaning communicated through language

(Lyons,1977)
Semantics is the study of meaning

Question 2

What is language?

Answer 2

Language is a unique human possession.

That communicates thoughts,meaning of humans

Therefore language is always symbolic of interior of humans, thoughts,identity, emotions, psychology, culture.

Edward Sapir (1949)
Language is the guide to social reality.
Language habita represents the real world
One is able to see, hear and experience the real world due to language.

David Crystal 
Language comprises 3 dimensions 
Primarily - auditory and vocal mode
Secondarily- written mode
Tertiary- signs

Question 3

What is it that people say we have semantic knowledge?

Answer 3

We all can make our thoughts, emotions, feelings known to each other.
How do we come to have this ability ?

We have to have to know words and how to pronounce them and also should recognize and understand when other people pronounce them

We have to have the knowledge to combine words into larger units (sentences)
+ the rules and grammar of arranging them in a away it communicates meaning

Also
Should understand when other speakers do the same process.

Question 4

What is meaning?

Answer 4

1) The relationship between words and the real world
The four legged domestic mammal in the real world- cow

2) A convention
The word comes to have meaning though convention
Cow - four legged domestic mammal

3) Concepts
Attributes about fragments of the world ➡️ store in our mind ➡️ create meaning