Semantics in linguistics

Semantics in linguistics

1. Semantics is the study of meaning communicated through language. A person’s linguistic abilities are based on knowledge that they have.

2. Speakers of a language have different types of linguistic knowledge, including how to pronounce words, how to construct sentences, and about the meaning of individual words and sentences.

3. Levels of analysis

   • Phonology
     • Is the study of what sounds a language has and how to combine them to form words.
   • Semantics:
     • Is the study of meaning of words and sentences.
     • The semanticist is committed to describing semantic knowledge.
     • Semanticist have to have at least a nodding acquaintance with other disciplines like philosophy and psychology.
   • Syntax
     • Is the study of how words can be combined into sentences.

Images and files in the map