Semantics Flashcards

1
Q

Semantics

A
  • The relation of meaning + sign
  • Semantic field/domain
  • Semantic overgeneralisation + inference
  • Inference
  • Etymology
  • Semantic patterning
  • Lexical meaning (especially sense relations)
  • Euphemism + dysphemism
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

The relation of meaning + sign

A

Knowing a language means knowing a certain sign (aka signifier) is connected to a certain meaning (aka signified).
- Connection between a sign + it’s meaning is arbitrary (no real reason why something is called a certain name).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Semantic field/domain

A

Lexemes can be grouped together with others that have interrelated meanings.
- Organising by semantic field makes it possible to understand the topic/focus of the discourse.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Semantic over-generalisation + inference

A

When inferences are made that extend the meaning of the word beyond it’s accepted use, often by children (eg. ‘dog’ used for any 4-legged animal).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Semantic under-generalisation

A

Words are given a narrower meaning (eg. ‘dog’ used only for family pet, not all dogs).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Inference

A

Requires the ability to fill in the gaps between what has explicitly been said + what is meant (essential for children as they acquire language).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Etymology

A

Study of origins + development of word forms + their meanings (broadenings, narrowing, elevation, deterioration, + shift).
- Examining etymology - ability to draw conclusions about prevalent attitudes, beliefs, customs, + behaviours of people in particular times + places.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Semantic patterning

A

Lexical choices can lead to lexical + semantic patterns that have a significant impact of the style + register of the text.
- Irony
- Metaphor
- Oxymoron
- Similie
- Personification
- Animation
- Puns (homonyms + homophones)
- Lexical ambiguity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Irony

A

When a speaker/writer states one thing but actually intends the audience to understand an opposing/contradictory meaning (eg. ‘nice day for a picnic’).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Metaphor

A

Figure of speech in which one thing is said to be another - creates an implicit comparison between 2 things, requiring more knowledge + imagination.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Oxymoron

A

Types of phrases that combine 2 apparently contradictory words for special effect (eg. ‘deafening silence’).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Similie

A

Figure of speech that explicitly connects one thing to another in order to make a comparison.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Personification

A

Specific type of metaphor that gives non-humans human qualities or abilities.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Animation

A

Type of metaphor that gives movement/life to inanimate objects, ideas, or places (qualities transferred are not typically human).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Puns

A

Play on different meanings of words exploiting lexical ambiguity for comedic effect. May involves homonyms + homophones.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Homonyms

A

Words that are spelled + sound the same but have different meanings.

17
Q

Homophones

A

Words that sound the same but have different spellings + meanings.

18
Q

Lexical ambiguity

A

When it isn’t possible to determine the intended meaning of a particular lexeme (eg. “the punch made him unsteady on his feet” - the punch could have been a physical blow or the drink).

19
Q

Lexical meaning (especially sense relations)

A
  • Synonymy
  • Antonymy
  • Hyponymy
  • Idiom
  • Denotation + connotation
20
Q

Sense relations

A

The different ways in which words can relate or connect to one another in a lexicon or in a given discourse (eg. a second is part of a minute which is part of an hour etc.)

21
Q

Synonymy

A

The sense relationship between lexemes that have similar meanings (eg. words ornithorhynchus’ + ‘platypus’ - one is common and other is scientific).

22
Q

Antonymy

A

The sense relationship between lexemes that have contrasting.opposite meanings (eg ‘not dead’ means ‘alive’).

23
Q

Hyponymy

A

Considers the hierarchies that exist between words (eg. ‘netball’ is the hyponym of ‘sport’ which is the hypernym).

24
Q

Idiom

A

Commonly used fixed phrases with non-literal meaning (meaning cannot be understood by separating + individually defining the words that make up the phrase - eg. ‘out of the blue’).

25
Q

Denotation + connotation

A

Denotation of word = it’s literal meaning
Connotation of word = extension of literal meaning.

26
Q

Euphemisim

A

Words/phrases that mask an unpleasant meaning (eg. ‘use the loo’ instead of mentioning the need to urinate).
- Allows speakers to avoid directly confrontational/awkward conversation + can also increase prestige (eg. ‘library’ becomes ‘knowledge centre’).

27
Q

Dysphemism

A

Words/phrases that magnifies an unpleasant meaning (for humour, to cause offence, to abuse, etc).