Abstract

Successful communication requires that the hearer correctly decode the speaker’s

words into their associated ideas. The concept of semantics sheds light on how we

experience the world, how we understand ourselves and others.

Semantics is an important area of study because it largely determines our perception

and reaction to spoken or written words and what decisions we make as a result of our

interpretations.

This research work examines the concept of semantics, the history, meaning and

relevance to communication skills, and more importantly, how through the knowledge of

semantics, we could better communicate with and to anyone, everywhere.

Keywords: Semantics, Communication

Introduction

Generally speaking, Semantics is the study of language and its meaning. As a word,

Semantics was first used by Michel Bréal, a French philologist in 1883, and can be used

to describe how words can have different meanings for different people, due to their

experiential and emotional backgrounds

Since meaning is a part of language, semantics is a part of linguistics. Unfortunately,

“meaning” covers a variety of aspects of language and there is no general agreement

about the nature of meaning, what aspects of it may properly be included in semantics,

or the way in which it should be described.

The term semantics is one of a group of English words formed from the various

derivatives of the Greek verb sēmainō (“to mean” or “to signify”). The noun semantics

and the adjective semantic are derived from sēmantikos (“significant”); semiotics

(adjective and noun) comes from sēmeiōtikos (“pertaining to signs”); semiology from

sēma (“sign”) + logos (“account”); and semasiology from sēmasia (“signification”) +

logos.

It is difficult to formulate a distinct definition for each of these terms, because their use

largely overlaps in the literature despite individual preferences. The word semantics has

ultimately prevailed as a name for the doctrine of meaning, of linguistic meaning in

particular. Semiotics is still used, however, to denote a broader field: the study of sign-

using behaviour in general.

2
Objectives of the Study

1. Semantics as a Concept of Meaning

2. Meaning as the Relationship between Words and Objects

3. Semantic Barriers in Communication

4. Types of Semantic Barrier

5. Overcoming Semantic Barrier

Semantics as a Concept of Meaning

Meaning has become a matter of great concern to philosophers, literary scholars and

thinkers all over the world. Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, and

others in ancient China and in ancient India made many statements about meaning and

some of them are still relevant today.

There are three well–known theories of meaning. These theories are:

I. referential theory of meaning,

II. the non– referential theory of meaning

III. and generative grammarian theory of meaning.

None of these theories is perfect; each of them has merits and limitations. Because of

the limited scope of this work, we are not going to discuss the detailed assumptions,

merits, and limitations of three well–known theories of meaning but they are generally

worthy of mention.

3
Meaning as the Relationship between Words and Objects

Greek philosophers say that there is a relationship between words and objects. In other

words, the best way of indicating the meaning of a word is to refer to the object

represented by that word. In their points of view, the best definition of the meaning of a

word is its ostensive definition: defining an object by pointing to that object.

This view has been criticized because it works very well only with concrete words, such

as dog, house, table, sun, door etc, but it does not with abstract words– such as, the,

and, because, ambition, happiness etc

Semantic Barriers in Communication.

The Semantic barrier in communication can be defined as the misunderstanding and

interpretation of meaning which restrict effective communication. It can be in form of

language, sign and symbol. The word semantic is credited to the Greek word

“semantikos” which indicates “significant”. Semantics is a broad interdisciplinary study

which deals with philosophical and logical understanding behind the language. The

Semantic barrier can be caused in every type of communication. The variations of

meaning in language are visible between individuals in minor and cultures in major.

Thus, semantic barrier is an important element in communication theories at different

levels. Differences in dialect, cultural differences, body language, and the choice of word,

pronunciation differences and spelling errors are the main causes of a semantic barrier.

4
Types of Semantic Barrier

There are two types of semantic barrier of communication. They are as follows:

I. Denotative barriers

II. Connotative barriers

Denotative barriers which are based on and caused by the direct meaning of a word.

These kinds of barriers happen when sender and receiver disagree with the meaning of

the word. The word “comment” for new generation Facebook users are different from the

older generation who never used or aware of social media networking websites.

Connotative barriers refer to the differences in the meaning of the defined word. In

addition to its exact or lexical meaning, words also acquire implied meanings called

connotative meanings. Connotations are understood based only on an individual’s

experience. Here both sender and receivers are aware of the meaning of the word but the

disagreement occurs when the context, situation and emotion behind the word will be

different. The meaning of the word does not arise by itself but in the relation between the

text and the context. This barrier becomes much complicated since the significant

meaning needs a mutual level of understanding for effective communication.

For example, in the context of instant messaging, the popular reply words like “ok” or

“hmm” are used as giving feedback. The word “hmm” (non-lexical filler) from receiver

provides agreement with the sender but also leaves a space for disagreement in the new

media scene.

Here is a simple example, the word “bat” is common but the meaning changes from sports

5
equipment to a mammal. The word “touch” is having a physical meaning of touching once

body but on other hands it is having a psychological meaning of touching the soul. The

usage like “master touch”, “final touch”, “keep in touch” are some examples.

Similarly, examine the word ‘cheap’ as an adjective. You will enjoy a ‘cheap holiday’

because you spend less than the real cost. Industries desire ‘cheap labour’ to reduce the

overall cost of production. These connotations of cheap as an adjective are different from

the connotations in expressions like “cheap popularity’ and “cheap joke”. If the receiver

does not understand the connotation attributed by the sender, miscommunication takes

place. But when words are used for denotations alone, not much damage will be done.

To avoid such semantic barriers, the communicator should choose the precise and exact

word that will carry the same meaning for the receiver in the given context. The meaning

of the word is related to the context at the connotational level. A complimentary

expression may derive a connotative derogative meaning which will ruin the

communication process. If you examine the word ‘fellow’, you will find so many

connotations to it. The word used with adjectives such as ‘nice’ and ‘lousy’ change the

complexion of the word ‘fellow’. A ‘nice fellow’ and a lousy fellow’ are poles apart. If you

call someone a ‘fellow scholar’, he is your contemporary. A ‘fellow traveller’ is simply your

co-passenger on a train, but in another context, he is a sympathizer or a secret member of

the communist party. Fellowship simply means companionship/friendliness. However, in

special contexts it can have different connotations.

6
Overcoming Semantic Barrier

It is very important to overcome the semantic barrier in any communication. In order to

achieve effective communication, both sender and receiver should understand the

attitude, communication skills, knowledge, social system and culture of their

corresponding communicator (Berlo,1960). The Berlo’s SMCR model of communication

(1960) and Shannon Weaver’s Model of Communication (1949) stress on effective

communication and overcoming the barrier. However, the semantic barrier of

communication is overlapping with linguist, cultural and psychological barrier of

communication. The semantic intolerance is also considered as the lack of quality that

restrains the better conversation. Since it deals with variables like values, beliefs, laws,

rules and religion.

Conclusion

In this research work, we have examined the concept of semantics, the history, meaning

and relevance to communication skills, and more importantly, how through the

knowledge of semantics, we could better communicate with and to anyone, everywhere.

We have also looked generally at Semantic Barriers in Communication, the various types

of semantic barriers and also how to overcome these barriers.

It is therefore hoped that this will help anyone become better at communication and also

7
in elucidating the ideas that are being passed across during communication based on the

knowledge of semantics.

8
References

Press. Chomsky, N. (1957). Syntactic Structure. The Hague Mouton.

Chomsky.N.(1965). Aspects of the Theory of Syntax. Cambridge: MIT Press.

Chomsky.N. (1967)."The Formal Nature of Language". In Lenneberg (ed)

Biological

Firth, J. (1957). A Synopsis of Linguistic Theory: Oxford. Basil Blackwell.

Fodor, J. (1982). Semantics: Theories of Meaning in Generative Grammar.

Brighton: The Harvester Press.

Jackendoff .R.(1972). Semantic Interpretation in Generative Grammar.

Cambridge: MIT Press.

Katz, J & Fodor, J. (1963). The Structure of a Semantic Theory. Language

39,170–210. Katz, J and Postal, P. (1964). An Integrated Theory of Linguistic

Description. Cambridge: MIP.

Katz, J. (1972). Semantic Theory. New York: Harbor and Row.

Lakoff, G. (1974). "Interview with H parret"in Discussing Language. The Hague

Mouton 151-178

Leech, G. (1981). Semantics. Harmondsworth: Penguin.

Palmer, F. (1981). Semantics. Cambridge: Cambridge University

Press. Skinner, B. (1957). Verbal Behavior. New York: Application

Crofts.

Wittgenstein, L. (1953). Philosophical Investigations Oxford: Basil Blackwell.