SEMANTICS:

The Analysis of
Meaning
Semantic Traditional Meaning
 Semantics is traditionally defined as the
study of meaning of (parts of) words,
phrases, sentences, and texts.

 Semantics is interested in Conceptual

meaning.
Lexical Semantics
 Semantic properties: The components of
meaning of a word.
 Semantic roles: characterize sentences (or
clauses)
 Semantic feature: A notational device for
expressing the presence or absence of
semantic properties by pluses and minuses.
 Example of componential analysis:
baby is [+ young], [+ human], [– abstract].
Identify the features
1. (a) widow, mother, sister, aunt, maid
(b) widower, father, brother, uncle, valet
The (a) and (b) words are [+ human]
The (a) words are [+ female]
The (b) words are [+ male]
2. (a) bachelor, paperboy, pope, chief
(b) bull, rooster, drake
The (a) and (b) words are [+ human]
The (a) words are [+ male]
The (b) words are [+ animal]
Semantic Relations among Words
 Synonym: words that have the same
meanings, e.g. start & begin.
 Antonym: words that are opposites in
meanings, e.g. hot & cold.
 Polysemy: A word which has two or more
related meanings, e.g. bright: ‘shining’ ;
‘intelligent’
Contd….
 Homophony: Different words pronounced
the same but spelled differently, e.g. two
and too.
 Homography: Different words spelled the
same but pronounced differently, e.g.
minute and minute.
Thank You! 