Semantics in Linguistics

Semantics in Linguistics

1. Levels of Analysis

   • Fonology
     • Sounds in language
   • Syntax
     • Words combined to form sentences
   • Semantics
     • Meaning of words and sentences

2. Semiotics

   • Signification
     • Process of creating and interpreting symbols
   • Relationship between sign and object

3. Semantics

   • Definitions theory
     • We should establish definitions of the meanings of words
     • Three challenges for this theory
       • Circularity
         • Solution: to design a semantic metalanguage with which describe the semantic units and rules of all languages.
       • Exact definitions of a word's meaning (linguistic knowledge and encyclopedic knowledge)
       • Particular utterances meaning in context
         • Solution: To assume a split in an expression’s meaning between the local contextual effects and a context-free element of meaning (conventional or literal meaning).

4. Semantics in a model of Grammar

5. Reference and sense

   • Reference
     • Relationship by which language hooks onto the world
   • Sense
     • Semantic links between elements within the vocabulary system

6. Utterances, sentences and propositions

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