Semantics Terminology

Semantics Terminology

1. SEMANTIC FIELD

   • a group of words which are related in meaning

2. SEMANTICS

   • the study of meanings behind words

3. SAPIR-WHORF THEORY

   • concerns language's role in shaping our interpretation of reality/society.
     • LANGUAGE IS CULTURALLY DETERMINED

4. DYSPHEMISM

   • when an offensive expression is substituted for an inoffensive one in order to emphasise its taboo
     • 'cancer stick' = cigarette

5. EUPHEMISM

   • 'passed away' = died

6. HYPERNYM

   • HYPONYM
     • basketball
     • jack russell
   • dog
   • sport

7. PERSONIFICATION

   • when an object/animal is given human characteristics

8. LITOTES

   • a form of understatement where you make a point by denying its opposite
     • 'you're not bad' = you're not good either

9. METONYMY

   • a figure of speech in which one word is substituted for another hyponym
     • 'crown' = royalty