(1) What is semantics?

Semantics is a science which discusses the meaning in human language.

It is not an animal language because it is static. Human language is dynamic because of some
reasons, such as the development of technology from one time to another. We can see the
development of English words, like mobile phone, computer, hardware, software, etc.
Here, the students may give other examples.

(2) What is the role of semantics within linguistics?

In phonology, we study the sounds/phonemes of a language; in morphology, we study word
formation/parts of words; in syntax, we study language patterns/how words pattern into
phrases, phrases into clauses, and clauses into sentences.
Give examples:
The meaning of the phoneme /s/ in the word ‘books’, the meaning of the phoneme /z/ in the
word ‘pens’. These phonemes mean plural.
The different phonemes in the words ‘mine’ and ‘nine’. These /m/ and /n/ make the two
words different.
The meanings of derivational suffixes/morphemes in the words ‘happiness’, ‘independently’,
‘speaker’, ‘invitation’, etc.
The meanings of the word ‘tall’ in the phrase ‘a tall woman’. The word ‘tall’ is an adjective
which is used to modify a head/noun ‘woman’, etc.
Discuss more examples. Students may give more examples.