Transcript Semantics - Linguistics at UP | The primary task of a

Semantics
~all about meaning~
BASIC CONCEPTS
word relationship
lexical semantics
meaning paraphrasing homonyms
connotation
componential
antonyms
intension analysis homograph
heteronym extension fuzzy concepts
thematic roles theta roles metonyms
contradiction entailment
pragmatics
idioms denotation
synonyms
polysemy sentence relations
Semantics
The analysis of meaning in human
languages
 Meaning- message or content of an
utterance
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Lexical semantics
Word 1
(mare)
Word 2
(brown)
Phrasal semantics/
Sentential semantics
Pragmatics
Semantic relations - Words
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Homonyms
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Polysemes
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two or more related meanings
Homographs
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different words with the same pronunciation
identical spelling
Heteronyms
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homographs that are pronounced differently
Exercises
ENGLISH
1. light
2. right
3. raise
4. grass
5. bear
TAGALOG
1. bata
2. magulang
3. sulat
4. tanda
5. basa
Semantic relations - Words
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Synonyms
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same meaning
Antonyms
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opposite meaning
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Hyponyms
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general term and specific representation
Metonyms
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complementary pairs
gradable pairs
relational opposites
a word used in place of another word to convey the
same meaning
Retronyms

expressions that once were redundant
Exercises
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Identify the semantic relationship of the
following words
ENGLISH
TAGALOG
1. flourish-thrive
1. bango-baho
2. intelligent-stupid
2. matulin-mabilis
3. casual-informal
3. libro-aklat
4. young-old
4. mahal-mura
5. drunk-sober
5. ganda-yumi
Semantic relations - Sentences
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Paraphrase – two sentences that can have the
same meaning
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Entailment – the truth of one sentence guarantees
the truth of another sentence
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UP Pep Squad won the cheerleading competition.
The cheerleading competition was won by UP Pep Squad.
UP Pep Squad received the highest score.
UP Pep Squad won.
Contradiction – if one sentence is true then another
sentence must be false
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UP Pep Squad bagged the first place.
UST Group was the champion.
Meaning
Connotation – meaning association
 Denotation – referents
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Extension and intension – referent and
concept
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Componential analysis – breakdown of
semantic features
Exercises
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Give a connotative and denotative
meaning for each word:
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linguistics
exams
fun
politician
Filipino
summer
Exercises
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Intension and Extension
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linguistics professor
The President of RP
national language of the Philippines
Componential analysis
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bull, rooster, drake, ram
idea, love, charity, sincerity, bravery, fear
milk, alcohol, rice, soup, mud
Conceptual System
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Fuzzy concepts – no clear-cut boundaries
Graded membership – prototypical; closest to the
definition
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Metaphor – understanding of one concept in
terms of another
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Lexicalization of concepts – the process whereby
concepts are encoded in the words of a language
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Grammaticization – lexicalized as functional
categories
Syntax and Sentence Interpretation
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Thematic roles – semantic relationship between
the verb and the NPs of a sentence
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AGENT – the one who performs an action
THEME – the one or thing that undergoes an action
SOURCE – the place from which an action originates
GOAL – the place to which an action is directed
LOCATION – the place where an action takes place
INSTRUMENT – the means by which an action is
performed
EXPERIENCER – one who perceives something
CAUSATIVE – a natural force that causes a change
Thematic grid: eat <agent, theme>
Examples

Identify the theta roles of the NPs.
1.
The wind damaged the roof.
It rains in Spain.
Helen heard Robert playing the piano.
The child put the cart on the porch.
Joan cuts hair with a razor.
He flew from Tokyo to New York.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Syntax and Sentence Interpretation
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Interpretation of Pronouns
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pronominals - he, she, him, her
reflexives – himself, herself, myself
ANTECEDENT
C-command rule
Principle A
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A reflexive pronoun must have an antecedent that ccommands it in the same minimal S.
Principle B
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A pronominal must not have an antecedent that ccommands it in the same minimal S.
Examples
[Claire knew that [Alexis trusted her]].
 [Claire knew that [Alexis trusted herself]].
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That boy’s teacher admires himself.
 That boy’s teacher admires him.
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