Semantics Flashcards
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.
It is the meaning that a word possesses by virtue of its use in particular social situations and
circumstances.
Thematic meaning
It lies in 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.
signifier
a word in the language
the signified
the object in the world that it „stands for‟ or „refers to‟.
The Conceptual Theory of Meaning
In the theory of meaning, just explained, words and things are directly related.
But in the conceptual theory of meaning words and things are related through the mediation of concepts of the mind.
symbol
the linguistic element; the word, phrase, sentence
the referent
the object in the world
thought or reference
the concept or meaning
The Behavioristic Theory of Meaning
Both of Malinowski and Firth stated 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. A more extreme view sees the
meaning of the linguistic elements AS the situation in which the word is used.
Agent
The entity that performs the action
Theme
The entity that is involved in or affected by the action.
Instrument
if an agent uses another entity in performing an action, that other entity takes the role of instrument.
