Semantics and Pragmatics

Semantics Definition: The study of meaning in

language.

Pragmatics The study of how context

contributes to meaning in language

Kinds of Semantic Meaning

Referential Meaning = The labeling of objects, persons, events

Cultural Meaning = reflection of attitudes, values, shared symbols

Situational Relevance = differing forms for different social situations

Interactional Meaning = defines the social status or relationship between speakers

Affective Meaning = emotional tone of meaning

Semantic PropertiesExample: Nouns

Semantic Features1. Count/mass

2 cats but not 2 waters

2. Specific vs. generic Ann vs. girl

4. animate vs. inanimate cow vs. rock

5. Masculine vs. feminine cow vs. bull

6. Human vs. non-human man vs. dog

7. Definite vs. indefinite the cat vs. a cat

Semantic Roles1. Agent 6. Experiencer 2. Patient 7. Instrument3. Source 8. Cause4. Goal 9. Temporal5. Location 10. PossessorAmy sent a letter from Paris to her friend in Iowa. 1 2 3 4John’s refrigerator is leaking on the floor. 10 1 5

Semantic Features

Verbs1. Actions Jane ran.2. Processes The wood

dried.3. Action/process Jane dried the

wood.4. State The wood is

dry.

Semantic Concordance

1. Action verbs take agent subjects2. Process verbs take patient subjects3. Action/process verbs take agent

subject and a patient object .4. States take patient nouns.

Reference vs. SenseReference is the direct labeling of an

object, person, event, etc.IntensionDenotative meaning

Sense is the meaning that is assumed around the reference.ExtensionConnotative meaning

The “Nyms” Some examples:

Homonyms – flower, flourHomographs – bank, bankSynonym Antonym

relational opposite – buy, sellgradable – big, smallmarked vs. unmarked – man, womancomplementary – dead, alive

Metonyms – Rome, Catholic churchPolysemous – sound investment, sound of music

Truth Conditions in SentencesParaphrase = two different sentences with the

same truth conditions

Thematic RolesAnomalous – deviates from the rules of sense

Metaphorical – must use imagination to interpret an anomalous sentence.

Idiom – sentence/phrase that has a semantic meaning other than the referential/sense

meaning

Ambiguous – Ex. The mother of the boy and the girl will arrive soon.

(structural)She is good at catching flies.

(Semantic)

PragmaticsStudying Speech in Cultural Context (Ethnographic Study of

Speech)1. Speech Situation (Context)

The social setting in which speech takes place (a party, a religious ceremony, etc.)

2. Speech ActMinimal unit of speech has a specified function.

3. Speech Event A series of interrelated speech acts that comprise a unit (Conversation, lecture, joke)Presuppositions

An implied truth that is taken for granted by all parties to a speech act.