TUTORIAL-INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS SEMANTICS

EXERCISE 1
Define the linguistic term meaning.

EXERCISE 2
Define and explain the semiotic triangle in a coherent text. Use toothbrush as an example.

EXERCISE 3
Consider the two linguistics expressions in (a) and (b) below and discuss the following statement:

The two linguistics expressions in (a) and (b) can never be used to refer to the same referent.

(a) John’s father

(b) Robert

EXERCISE 4
Are the words chip meaning ‘a small piece that has been broken off a larger object’ and chip meaning
‘a very small piece of semiconductor, esp. in computers.’ a case of homonymy or polysemy? Provide
an explanation for your choice which includes a short definition of the chosen concept applied to the
example words.

EXERCISE 5
Are the words fan meaning ‘a device to provide a flow of air’ and fan meaning ‘a person who has a
great interest in and admiration for a person, sport, etc.’ a case of homonymy or polysemy? Provide
an explanation for your choice which includes a short definition of the chosen concept applied to the
example words.

EXERCISE 6

Explain the concept of hyponymy in a coherent text with the help of the examples below.

Examples: dress, jeans, skirt, clothes, trousers, socks

EXERCISE 7
Which type of sense relation exists between the following word pairs? Name the sense relation and
explain it with reference to the example.

a. lend, borrow
b. insect, bee
c. long, short
d. give, take
 e. present, absent
f. animal, bird
g. wife, husband
h. English, French, German, Latin
i. doctor, patient

EXERCISE 8
Explain the difference between connotation and denotation with the help of the example word
‘holiday’.