Chapter 6 Semantics

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Chapter 6 Semantics

• English Linguistics An Introduction

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Chapter 6 Semantics

• 0. Warm-up Questions
• 1. Definition
• 2. Meanings of Meaning
• 3. Types of Meaning
• 4. Word Meaning
• 5. Sentence Meaning

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0. Warm-up Questions

• What is the meaning of meaning?
• What is the relationship among meaning, word and
  the referent?
• What are the different relations between words in
  terms of meaning?
• What are the affecting factors of a sentence
  meaning?

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1. Definition

• The subject concerning the study of meaning is
  called semantics. More specifically, semantics is
  the study of meaning of linguistic units, words
  and sentences in particular. (p93)

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2. Meanings of Meaning
2.1 Nominalism

• Words are just names or labels for things.

2.2 Conceptualism

• Language and the real world are linked through
  the mediation of concepts (semantic triangle).

2.3 Contextualism

• Meaning can be derived from observable contexts.

2.4 Behaviorism

• Meaning consists in the relation between speech
  and physical entities and events. (S-r-s-R figure)

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3 Types of Meaning
3.1 The traditional approach (Fries 1952)

• Lexical