The building blocks of language Syntax and Semantics The building blocks of language

Syntax: The words and how they properly fit together: Convey the in understand are words presented not meaning do order can they some unless reader.

This is the importance of syntax! Corrected: Words do not convey meaning unless they are presented in some order the reader can understand. This is the importance of syntax!

JABBERWOCKY by Lewis Carroll `Twas brillig, and the slithy toves   Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves,   And the mome raths outgrabe. "Beware the Jabberwock, my son!   The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun   The frumious Bandersnatch!" He took his vorpal sword in hand:   Long time the manxome foe he sought -- So rested he by the Tumtum tree,   And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,   The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,   And burbled as it came! One, two! One, two! And through and through   The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head   He went galumphing back. "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?   Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'   He chortled in his joy. `Twas brillig, and the slithy toves   Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves,   And the mome raths outgrabe.

Semantics: Define this word: sewer The meaning of the words, individually and collectively. Define this word: sewer

Do we use it this way: . . .or this way: Into the small pond.” “The sewer emptied Into the small pond.” . . .or this way: “The sewer worked on her dress all night long.”

This is the importance of semantics! sewer? What we mean by “sewer” determines how we might use it. This is the importance of semantics!

Denotation & Connotation Denotation: what the words mean in a literal sense Connotation: suggested or implied (understood) meaning

One more: Sick: Does it mean this Or this?

Denotation & Connotation Sometimes there isn’t a dictionary definition we can use to understand meaning. The meaning is implied by the speaker, and inferred by the audience. Denotation = dictionary definition Connotation = implied meaning

Some other useful information Banned words and phrases: This list is available in the top box of my Moodle page. You don’t need to copy these down, but do pay attention!

Banned words: That basically really well Like thing fact boring Stupid lame besides usually Because since stuff lots So-called situation issue

Banned phrases: “I think . . .” “To me . . .” “instead of” “for the reason that . . .” “In my opinion . . .” “Due to . . .” “in life . . .” “Should of . . .,” “Could of . . .,” “Would of . . .,” and others similar “A lot”

Banned phrases: “sort of” “kind of” ALL slang ALL contractions ALL lazy words (gonna for “going to”; U for “you”; 2 for “to”, “too”, or “two”; + or & for “and,” etc.)

Additional notes: Woman = 1; women = more than one “Each other” is always two words “Every day” and “everyday” are both correct, but are correct only in certain circumstances, and are never interchangeable.

Remember There is a place and time for both formal and informal language. When you are submitting something for an assignment for a class – for English or any other subject – formal language should be used.