Concept Paper

Submitted By:
Hanah R. Mocoy

Submitted to:
Mr. Ruben F. Asan Ph.D
I. Concept

Semantics and Pragmatics

According to Griffiths (2006:6) semantics is the study of sentence meaning and word
meaning. To support this idea, Kearns (2000:1) states that semantics deals with the literal
meaning of words and the meaning of way they are combined, which taken together form the
core of meaning, or the starting point from which the whole meaning of a particular utterance
is constructed. It means that semantics is the study of linguistic meaning which is dealt with
word meaning and words that are combined which has a complete sense. From the
sentence, I forgot the paper, semantics provide the literal meaning of the
elements, I, forget, past tense, the, and paper and the meaning drawn from the order of the
words. On the other hand, Servius and Donatus in Horn (2006:1) say that pragmatics is as a
figure in which we say less but mean more.

In addition, Griffiths (2006:6) defines pragmatics as linguistic study of utterance

meaning. In advanced, Cruse (2000:16) in Cummings (2005:2) defines that pragmatics can be
taken to be concerned with aspect of information (in the widest sense) conveyed through
language which (a) are not encoded by generally accepted convention in the linguistic forms
used, but which (b) none the less arise naturally out of and depend on the meanings
conventionally encoded in the linguistic forms used, taken in conjunction with the context in
which the forms are used. From the above definitions, between semantics and pragmatics, it
can be briefly figured out that both of linguistic studies of meaning are absolutely distinctive.
The notion of linguistic study of meaning should be disintegrated in term of sentence
meaning particularly in semantics and utterance meaning in pragmatics. In other words, it can
be said that if it dealt with meaning and there is not context to consider, then semantics is
used, however, if there is a context to be brought into consideration, pragmatics is used
(Griffiths, 2006:6).

Sociolinguistics

Sociolinguistics is the study of the relationship between language and society, how language
functions in a community, how people in community use language as well as how this
language usage reflects the social identity of the users. There are several possible
relationships between language and society. One is that social structure may either influence
or determine linguistic structure and/or behavior. A second possible relationship is directly
opposed to the first: linguistic structure and/or behavior may either influence or determine
social structure. A third possible relationship is that the influence is bi-directional: language
and society may influence each other (Wardhaugh, 2005).

Trudgill (1974: 32) states that sociolinguistics is a part of linguistics which is concerned with
language as a social and cultural phenomenon. The way people talk is determined by social
context in which their speaking takes place. People select language which is suitable with the
situation in which they are talking, who they are speaking to, and how close their relation
with the hearers. By regarding these factors, people may convey their message in different
ways or in different language varieties. Varieties of language along racial, ethnic, and social
lines have been too apparent in many countries, including America and Britain (Holmes,
2001:190). Sociolinguistics deals with explaining why people speak differently in different
social contexts and with identifying the social function of language as well as describing the
ways it is used to convey social meanings.

II. Discussion

We can extract from the definitions of the author’s abovementioned the following:

 Semantics is the study of meaning. It focuses on the relation between words, phrases
and other bits of language and on how these words and phrases connect to the
world. Pragmatics is similar, but it involves the study of how speakers of a language
use the language to communicate and accomplish what they want.
 Pragmatics helps the translator or the interpreter in finding clues in the utterances the
speakers make which leads him to find the appropriate equivalent in the target
language. It is worth mentioning that they both are concerned with (meaning) but each
in its own unique and different way.
 Sociolinguistics is concerned with how language use interacts with, or is affected by,
social factors such as gender, ethnicity, age or social class. Sociolinguists are
interested in how we speak differently in varying social contexts, and how we may
also use specific functions of language to convey social meaning or aspects of our
identity
 Sociolinguistics teaches us about real-life attitudes and social situations. People adjust
the way they talk to their social situation. An individual, for instance, will speak
 differently to a child than he or she will to their college professor. This will determine
the region, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, and gender.

III. Implications

The purpose of study, application and usage of semantics, pragmatics and

sociolinguistics in teaching and learning activities are ;

 help students become more effective, fluent and successful communicators in the
target language.
 give them understanding that language is composed of not just linguistic and lexical
elements; rather, language reflects also the social context
 will be able to act different communicative patterns, they will find themselves active
and involved in concrete acts in the classroom as well as in the environment that they
live in.
 It will secure them good levels of grammatical and functional competences. They will
react fluently, coherently and accurately.
 It will urge the learner’s critical thinking
 facilitate the learners’ sense of being able to find socially appropriate language for the
situations that they encounter.
 help the learners become familiar with the range of devices and practices in the target
language

IV. Remarks and Reactions

 Language is a means of communication used by people in any kind of social

interaction. The use of language is one of the salient attributes that distinguish
humans from other creatures. Therefore, understanding language is an important
part of understanding humanity in general.
 Semantics, Pragmatics and sociolinguistics are studies within the social platform
called Linguistics in ways to better understand language. The purpose of which is
the attainment of understanding in the mutual sense. Understanding, progress and
peace are the reasons we study meaning.
 Semantics deals with textual meaning, that is using the sign and the signified
relationship for its interpretation, on the other hand, Pragmatics helps the
 translator or the interpreter in finding clues in the utterances the speakers make
which leads him to find the appropriate equivalent in the target language.

 Another approach to language and society focuses on the situations and uses of
language as an activity in its own right. The study of language in its social context
tells us quite a bit about how we organize our social relationships within a particular
community which we do in sociolinguistics. In conclusion, each branch of linguistics
is as important as the other and having knowledge in all of these will be a great help
for the learners in the enhancement of their communicative language.
V. References and Sources

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