Utku Sayındı

Semantics in language
 Introduction
Semantics is the study of meaning of words, phrases and sentences. It
tries to understand human expression through language.
The study of meaning can be undertaken in various ways. Mostly the
literal meaning is studied.

2
 Lexical Semantics

• Lexical Semantics analyzes the • Words are stored in our

meanings of words and the lexicon(mental dictionary). It
meaning relationship between helps us define the meaning of the
words. words.

In this example, [human] and [female]

are semantic properties helping us to
define the meaning of the words.

3
Semantic Roles

4
Examples about Semantic Roles

5
 Semantic Relationships in Language
• Homonyms: each of two or more
words having the same spelling
or pronunciation but different
meanings and origins. For
example: eight and ate.
• Synonyms: a word or phrase that
means exactly or nearly the same
as another word or phrase in the
same language, for
example shut is a synonym
of close.
• Polysemy: the coexistence of
many possible meanings for a
word or phrase. For example:
play
• Antonyms: a word opposite in
meaning to another (e.g. bad and
good ).
• Hyponyms: a word of more
specific meaning than a general
or superordinate term applicable
to it. For example, spoon is a
hyponym of cutlery.
6
7
Further Studies in Semantics

8
 Utku Sayındı
Thank you
Haliç University