Ll1 - Semantics - Decoding Meanings Flashcards
Semantics
The study of how the meanings of words and expressions are created and interpreted
Denotation
The literal meanings of words
Connotation
The associated meanings of words - “summer - beach, sun, sea”
Antonym
Words which mean opposite things - “valuable/worthless”
Synonym
Words which mean the same thing - “valuable/precious”
Literal language
Language which uses the actual meanings of words
Semantic field
A group of words which have similar connotations, or which are part of the same theme - “colour - red, blue, pink, hue, tone, shade”
Figurative language
Language that is used in a non-literal way to create images and form comparisons
Simile
A direct comparison through the use of ‘like’ or ‘as’
Metaphor
A structure that presents one thing in terms of another (lots of our language is used metaphorically through the use of conceptual metaphors) - money = time (I can’t afford to spend time on that)
Zoomorphism
Giving animal qualities, characteristics or behaviour to a human - “I’m preying on you tonight”
Anthropomorphism
Giving human qualities, characteristics or behaviour to an animal or object (a type of personification). - “Pinocchio, Mickey Mouse”
Collocation
Routinely placing words or phrases together (it sounds natural to a native speaker) - “a hard frost, Home and dry”
Cliché
A saying or remark that has been used so much is not original or interesting - “useless as a chocolate lifeguard”
Idiom
An expression where the meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings of its constituent elements - “over the moon, I’m all ears”
Euphemism
Using a more socially acceptable word or phrase - “passed away”
Dysphemism
Using a blunt or direct word instead of a more polite or indirect alternative - “That’s bullshit!”
Hyperbole
Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally - “my bag weighs a tonne”
Rhetorical language
Language that is used to persuade
Logos
One of three Aristotelian modes of persuasion - it appeals to an audiences sense of logic or reason - Data, Facts, Statistics, Surveys.
Pathos
One of three Aristotelian modes of persuasion - it appeals to the audience’s emotions - personal story, powerful image.
Ethos
One of three Aristotelian modes of persuasion - it appeals to the audience based on the speakers authority - referencing their: experience, moral character, clear reasoning, good intentions.
Verbal irony
Conveying a meaning which is the opposite of the literal meaning - “isn’t it a lovely day?” When it’s raining
Anaphora
The deliberate repetition of the first part of the clause/sentence - “we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France”
Epistrophe
The deliberate repetition of the last part of a clause/sentence - “when I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child”
Symploce
The deliberate repetition of both the first and last pa t of a clause/sentence - “we will make America strong again, we will make America wealthy again, we will make America proud again”
Epizeuxis
Repetition of a single word, with no other words in between - “location, location, location”
