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Semantics

Semantics. ~all about meaning~. BASIC CONCEPTS. word relationship. lexical semantics. homonyms. meaning. paraphrasing. connotation. antonyms. componential analysis. homograph. intension. extension. heteronym. fuzzy concepts. theta roles. thematic roles. metonyms. contradiction.

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Semantics

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  1. Semantics ~all about meaning~

  2. BASIC CONCEPTS word relationship lexical semantics homonyms meaning paraphrasing connotation antonyms componential analysis homograph intension extension heteronym fuzzy concepts theta roles thematic roles metonyms contradiction entailment pragmatics idioms denotation synonyms polysemy sentence relations

  3. Semantics • The analysis of meaning in human languages • Meaning- message or content of an utterance Lexical semantics Word 1 (mare) Word 2 (brown) Phrasal semantics/ Sentential semantics Pragmatics

  4. Semantic relations - Words • Homonyms • different words with the same pronunciation • Polysemes • two or more related meanings • Homographs • identical spelling • Heteronyms • homographs that are pronounced differently

  5. Exercises ENGLISH TAGALOG 1. light 1. bata 2. right 2. magulang 3. raise 3. sulat 4. grass 4. tanda 5. bear 5. basa

  6. Semantic relations - Words • Synonyms • same meaning • Antonyms • opposite meaning • complementary pairs • gradable pairs • relational opposites • Hyponyms • general term and specific representation • Metonyms • a word used in place of another word to convey the same meaning • Retronyms • expressions that once were redundant

  7. Exercises • Identify the semantic relationship of the following words ENGLISH TAGALOG 1. flourish-thrive 1. bango-baho 2. intelligent-stupid 2. matulin-mabilis 3. casual-informal 3. libro-aklat 4. young-old 4. mahal-mura 5. drunk-sober 5. ganda-yumi

  8. Semantic relations - Sentences • Paraphrase – two sentences that can have the same meaning • UP Pep Squad won the cheerleading competition. • The cheerleading competition was won by UP Pep Squad. • Entailment – the truth of one sentence guarantees the truth of another sentence • UP Pep Squad received the highest score. • UP Pep Squad won. • Contradiction – if one sentence is true then another sentence must be false • UP Pep Squad bagged the first place. • UST Group was the champion.

  9. Meaning • Connotation – meaning association • Denotation – referents • Extension and intension – referent and concept • Componential analysis – breakdown ofsemantic features

  10. Exercises • Give a connotative and denotative meaning for each word: • linguistics • exams • fun • politician • Filipino • summer

  11. Exercises • Intension and Extension • linguistics professor • The President of RP • national language of the Philippines • Componential analysis • bull, rooster, drake, ram • idea, love, charity, sincerity, bravery, fear • milk, alcohol, rice, soup, mud

  12. Conceptual System • Fuzzy concepts – no clear-cut boundaries • Graded membership – prototypical; closest to the definition • Metaphor – understanding of one concept in terms of another • Lexicalization of concepts – the process whereby concepts are encoded in the words of a language • Grammaticization – lexicalized as functional categories

  13. Syntax and Sentence Interpretation • Thematic roles – semantic relationship between the verb and the NPs of a sentence • AGENT – the one who performs an action • THEME – the one or thing that undergoes an action • SOURCE – the place from which an action originates • GOAL – the place to which an action is directed • LOCATION – the place where an action takes place • INSTRUMENT – the means by which an action is performed • EXPERIENCER – one who perceives something • CAUSATIVE – a natural force that causes a change • Thematic grid: eat <agent, theme>

  14. Examples • Identify the theta roles of the NPs. • The wind damaged the roof. • It rains in Spain. • Helen heard Robert playing the piano. • The child put the cart on the porch. • Joan cuts hair with a razor. • He flew from Tokyo to New York.

  15. Syntax and Sentence Interpretation • Interpretation of Pronouns • pronominals - he, she, him, her • reflexives – himself, herself, myself • ANTECEDENT • C-command rule • Principle A • A reflexive pronoun must have an antecedent that c-commands it in the same minimal S. • Principle B • A pronominal must not have an antecedent that c-commands it in the same minimal S.

  16. Examples • [Claire knew that [Alexis trusted her]]. • [Claire knew that [Alexis trusted herself]]. • That boy’s teacher admires himself. • That boy’s teacher admires him.

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