Semantics

Semantics

1. Meaning relationships between words

   • Monosemia
     • monosemic words whose signifier has only one meaning
   • Polysemy
     • have several meanings for the same signifier
   • Homonymy
     • different in meaning but written in the same way
     • two kinds of homonymous words
       • Homograph homonyms
         • match both in pronunciation and in writing
       • Homonyms homophones
         • they coincide in pronunciation, but not in writing
   • Paronymy
     • phonetically similar to each other, although they are different words
   • Synonymy
     • words that have the same meaning
   • Antonymy
     • have opposite meanings
   • Hyperonymy
     • word whose meaning includes that of another word
   • Hyperonymy
     • word whose meaning is included in that of another

2. Changes of meaning between words

   • Taboo
     • that word that designates a reality
     • vary across cultures
     • speakers avoid naming the word
     • are unpleasant or politically incorrect
     • are avoided for different reasons
   • Euphemism
     • replaces the word taboo
     • in Greek it means "good word"
     • Words and expressions are euphemisms
   • Dysphemism
     • designate reality by crude words
     • extreme opposite of euphemism