Semantics ~all about meaning~

BASIC CONCEPTS word relationship lexical semantics homonyms meaning paraphrasing connotation antonyms componential analysis homograph intension 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 Meaning- message or content of an utterance Lexical semantics Word 1 (mare) Word 2 (brown) Phrasal semantics/ Sentential semantics Pragmatics

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Exercises Intension and Extension Componential analysis 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

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

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>

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.

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.

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.