Semantics

Presented by Group 4
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to demonstrate
mastery of semantics by:

Discussing the different aspects of conceptual

meaning of language
Identifying and applying the different concepts
of semantics and its parts
Differentiating and analyzing the various types of
lexical relations
Explaining semantic ambiguity
overview of semantics
LESSON 1
oVERVIEW OF SEMANTICS

Semantics is the study of meaning in language. It

explores how words, phrases, and sentences
convey ideas and how their meanings can change
depending on context.

Example:
Ana: Are you going to come with us later this
evening?
Gene: I have a duty this evening.
 TWO TYPES OF SEMANTICS
LEXICAL SEMANTICS compositional semantics
How lexical meanings
Deals with the individual
are combined to form
meaning of words.
more complex phrasal
meanings.
Example:
1. Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.
2. Is that what you mean?
3. Semantic means ‘simasiologia’ in Greek.
4. Why are you being mean?
Semantic categories
 REFERENCE
REFERENCE AND The relationship between the
SENSE word and the object or idea it
represents is called a reference.

Are words that relate

to or represent ideas SENSE
or things. Meanwhile ‘sense’, although it
does not have a physical
representation, we are still able
to understand it.
Example:
1. When I was a kid, the appearance of a
rainbow puzzled me.

Referent or the one being

referred to.
conceptual or denotative meaning

Also called as conventional or cognitive

meaning, refers to the literal or primary
meaning of the word that is conveyed to
people when the word is used in isolation.
Example:
1. Pig - a type of animal
2. Skinny - thin
3. Blue - a color
4. Animal - a living organism
 ASSOCIATIVE OR CONNOTATIVE MEANING

The associative meaning of the word aside

from its conceptual meaning. It is the
opposite of conceptual meaning which
means it is subjective.
Example:
1. Pig - gluttonous
2. Skinny - unhealthy
3. Blue - sad
4. Animal - brutal or savage
 social or stylistics meaning
It refers to the Consider the Other
sociolinguistics
way language social background
factors have also
choices convey of the speaker and
to be considered
information the intended
such as the dialect
about the social receiver, their
variations and the
context of its relationship, and formality of
use. the context or language use that
social is, whether it is
circumstances of formal or informal,
the use of the colloquial or slang,
expression. etc.
Example:
1. Formal - Good morning, sir. I would like to inquire about the
position of marketing manager.
2. Informal - Hey boss, what's up? Think we can get that meeting
rescheduled?
3. Jargons - Have you considered using the poché to guide the visitor
experience?
4. Colloquial - Why’d you wanna see me?
5. Slang - Recently, he’s been acting a little sus.
 AFFECTIVE OR EMOTIVE MEANING

conceited self-assured confident

Affective meaning is related to the social meaning of a word or

sentence. But this aspect of meaning refers particularly to the
personal feelings and emotions of the speaker, including the
attitude of the listener towards the speaker or vice-versa.
Example:
1. The word ‘heavenly’, ‘terrifying’, or ‘betrayed’.
2. I don’t like that team.
3. I love this car.
 REFLECTED MEANING

When a word or phrase is associated

with more than one conceptual
meaning, the reflected meaning is
formed.
Example:
1. Intercourse
2. Bird
 COLLOCATIVE MEANING
Collocations are words that always go
together or co-occur frequently.
Because a word acquires meaning on
the account of the meaning of other
words which always occur around it.
Example:
1. Beautiful and handsome.
2. Fork, spoon and knife.
 thematic meaning
Thematic meaning refers to what is
communicated by the way a writer or
speaker organizes the message in terms
of order, focus, and emphasis.
Example:
1. The Americans established the university
in 1902.
2. The university was established by the
Americans in 1902.
 MEANING EXTENSION
In identifying the semantic features of lexical
items, the general process of meaning
extension should also be considered. This is
because many words have figurative or
metaphorical meanings rather than (or in
addition to) being literal.
 meaning extension
example:
Applying a word to
something outside The word ‘Dog’
its literal meaning
 meaning extension
example:
Latin word arripare
Broadening means “to arrive at
the shore”.
 meaning extension
example:
Young children A child might say
extending words "dog" to refer to a
squirrel.
 meaning extension
example:

Relational Concepts The wedding is before

the reception.
semantic features and
semantic roles
LESSON 2
 semantic features
It is the basic unit of meaning in a word.

It differentiates the meanings of each word in the language

from every other word (Yule, 2010).

Semantic features are established by contrasts and can be stated in

terms of (+) and (-) which can be used in analyzing and identifying the
basic meaning of a word and predict whether or not it is semantically
compatible with other words in specific sentences.
EXAMPLE:

THE CHILD THE BREAD THE DOG

Animate + - +
HUMAN + - -
 semantic roles
Also known as thematic relations, is used to indicate the
role played of different entities in a language.

It is a powerful tool for understanding the meaning of

sentences, identify the entities in a sentence, and
understand the relationships between them.
 example:
agent
1. The dog bit him.
Is the entity that
performs or does the 2. The boy kicked the
action which can be ball.
done by human or 3. A car ran over the
non-human forces.
plants.
 example:
patient
1. The dog bit him.
Is the entity that is
being involved in or 2. The boy kicked the
affected by the action ball.
and is changed as a 3. A car ran over the
result.
plants.
 example:
instrument
1. Using a net bag, he
caught the kitten.
Is the entity that is
2. The girl opened the
used to perform an
door with the key.
action.
3. A woman cut the cake
with a knife.
 theme example:

Is an entity that
receives an action 1. The ball is red.
but does not
2. Mary is beautiful.
change. The theme
can also be an 3. The dog is barking.
entity that is simply
being described.
 example:
experiencer
1. Bill heard some noise
Is an entity that
outside.
experiences a feeling
2. She saw a plane.
or perception which
receives sensory or 3. The old man feels
emotional inputs. sad.
 example:
location
1. He cried at the
Is the place where cinema.
an action takes 2. The book is on the
place. table.
3. Alex is in the office.
 example:
source
1. Robin came from
Is the entity from Mexico.
which something 2. Jojo fell off the chair.
moves or 3. The baby crawled
originates. from the kitchen to
the door.
 example:
GOAL
1. Franky is driving to
Is the entity school.
towards which 2. She went home.
something moves 3. Danny made a quick
or is directed. run to the store.
 example:
RECIPIENT
1. I bought a present
Is the entity that for my friend.
physically receives 2. Bill gave the book to
something from Mary.
the agent. 3. The child gave a
flower to her mother.
 example:
time 1. I have an
appointment on
Sunday.
Describes when the 2. Mary will go
action or event shopping in the
takes place.
afternoon
3. He returned home at
7:30 p.m.
 example:
purpose 1. To please his
mother, he cleaned
the house.
The reason why an 2. John gave Mary a
action is done. flower to confess his
feelings.
3. She always smiles to
show friendliness.
 example:
manner
1. The girl walked to
It describes how
school slowly.
the action,
2. John gave Mary a ring
experience, or
while on his knees.
process of an event
is carried out. 3. He told her his
secrets in whisper.
LEXICAL RELATIONS
LESSON 3
LEXICAL RELATIONS
A branch of semantics that deals with the word
meaning is called lexical semantics. Meaning
related structure of words.
types of lexical relations
synonymy example:
Synonyms are words 1. Small - Tiny
with similar or very 2. Big - Huge
closely meanings. 3. Fast - Quick
4. Wealthy - Rich
EXAMPLE:
1. His dad bought a big car. - common and
casual
2. His father purchased a large automobile. -
serious and formal
types of lexical relations
antonymy example:
1. Big - Small
Antonyms are words
2. Rich - Poor
with opposite meanings.
3. Happy - Sad
4. Hot - Cold
 types of antonyms
gradable

Are those that

can be used in
comparative
constructions.
EXAMPLE:
1. Taller than - Smaller than
2. Hot - Cold
3. Big - Small

Your house is bigger than your neighbor’s, but it is smaller

than your other friends.
 types of antonyms
gradable NON Gradable
Are those where
there is no continuum
Are those that between them.
can be used in
comparative -Also known as
constructions. complementary
antonyms.
-Words which are
direct opposite.
EXAMPLE:
1. Alive - Dead
2. Boy - Girl
3. True - False
4. Male - Female
5. Married - Single
6. Right - Wrong
 types of antonyms
gradable NON Gradable REVERSE
Are those where ANTONYMS
there is no continuum
Are those that between them. Words are
can be used in related and have
comparative -Also known as a reverse
constructions. complementary relationship.
antonyms.
-Words which are
direct opposite.
EXAMPLE:
1. Buy - Sell
2. Push - Pull
3. Night - Day
4. Borrow - Lend
types of lexical relations
hyponymy example:
Describes a hierarchical
relationship between 1. Red - Color
words. 2. Apple - Fruit
-Meaning of one form is 3. Dolphins - Mammals
included in the meaning of a 4. Rose - Flower
larger category.
types of lexical relations
prototypes example:
Is a cognitive reference 1. Furniture - Chair or
point that best represents Table
the meaning or description 2. Vehicle - Car
of a word or a category. 3. Fruit - Apple
4. Flower - Rose
types of lexical relations
homonymy example:

Words that have the

Bat - a flying mammal.
same spelling or
Vs.
pronunciation but Bat - a piece of equipment.
different meanings.
types of lexical relations
polysemy example:
Head - the upper part of the
body.
A single word that has
Vs.
multiple related meanings.
A leader or chief - the head
of the team.
types of lexical relations
capitonyms example:

Words that change meaning Turkey - a country

when the first letter is Vs.
capitalized. turkey - a bird
types of lexical relations
metonymy example:
Metonymy is a figure of
The White House - Refers to
speech in which a word or
the U.S. President or their
phrase is used to represent
administration (The White
something closely
House issued a statement).
associated with it.
types of lexical relations
idioms example:
Phrases whose meanings
Break the ice (to start a
are not directly derived
conversation in a social
from the literal meanings of
setting)
the words.
SEMANTIC AMBIGUITY
LESSON 4
SEMANTIC AMBIGUITY

Happens when a phrase or

sentence context has multiple
possible meanings.
EXAMPLE:
1. I saw the girl with binoculars.
2. I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse.
3. Their love was Romeo and Juliet-esque
Semantic Anomaly
Language expression that
violates semantic rules. A
theoretical entity definable only
within a particular theory. It has
meaning only in relation to the
other entities and operations
within the theory.
EXAMPLE:

Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

 difference between lexical and
semantic ambiguity
LexicaL RELATION SEMANTIC AMBIGUITY

Exist when a single word has Exist when sentence meaning is

unclear due to multiple possible
multiple meanings
interpretations of its context.

Example: Example:
Bat What a beautiful day!