Module 6 Flashcards
(34 cards)
Referent
The entity identified by the use of a referring expression such as a noun or noun phrase
Extension
Extension refers to the set of all potential referents for a referring expression.
Prototype
A typical member of the extension of a referring expression is a prototype of that expression.
Stereotype
A list of characteristics describing a prototype is said to be a stereotype.
Coreference
Two linguistic expressions that refer to the same real-world entity are said to be coreferential
Anaphora
A linguistic expression that refers to another linguistic expression
Deixis
deictic expression has one meaning but can refer to different entities depending on
the speaker and his or her spatial and temporal orientation.
Semantics
the study of meaning in language
referent
the thing referred to (which varies from occasion to occasion)
verb refer
having something particular in mind when saying a word (the definition that lives in the dictionary)
speaker-reference
what the speaker is referring to by using some linguistic expression
Linguistic-reference
reference that is a systematic function of the language itself, rather than of the speaker and context.
The Principle of Compositionality
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
Compositional semantics (or formal semantics)
how the Principle of Compositionality applies, formal semanticists study the variety of grammatical patterns which occur in individual languages and across the languages of the world
lexical semantics
the study of the meanings of words, and the relations among words‟ meanings
Denotative meaning
The logical meaning, which indicates the essential qualities of a concept which distinguish it
from other concepts
Connotative Meaning
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.
Social Meaning
the meaning that a word possesses by virtue of its use in particular social situations and
circumstances
Thematic meaning
the manner in which a message is organized for emphasis.
The Theory of Naming
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.
The Behavioristic Theory of Meaning
Meaning in terms of the context in which language is used. These two maintained that the description of a language is not complete without some reference to the context of situation in which the language operated.
Benefactive
The noun or noun phrase that refers to the person or animal who benefits, or is meant to benefit, from
the action of the verb.
synonymy
Two or more forms with very closely related meanings, which are often, but not always,
intersubstitutable in sentences
Antonymy
Two forms with opposite meanings are called antonyms