Semantics all about meaning BASIC CONCEPTS word relationship

Semantics ~all about meaning~

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

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

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

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

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

Exercises p 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

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

Meaning Connotation – meaning association p Denotation – referents p p Extension and intension – referent and concept p Componential analysis – breakdown of　 semantic features

Exercises p Give a connotative and denotative meaning for each word: n n n linguistics exams fun politician Filipino summer

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

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

Syntax and Sentence Interpretation p Thematic roles – semantic relationship between the verb and the NPs of a sentence n n n n p 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>

Examples p Identify theta roles of the NPs. 1. 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. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

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

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