ENGLISH SEMANTIC

"LEXICAL UNITS AND SEMANTIC DIMENSIONS”

Lecturer:
Dr. Syarifa Rafiqa, S.Pd.,M.Pd

GROUP 2 :
1. Muftia Dwi Wardhani (2240601033)
2. Dinda Mulya Adhana (2240601038)
3. Nur Elisa (2240601039)
4. Trindarti Puput (2240601009)
5. Micheal Felix Leko (2240601050)

ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF BORNEO TARAKAN
2023/2024
 PREFACE

Praise be to God Almighty for the blessings of his grace, and that we
were allowed to be able to compile a working paper entitled " Lexical Units
and Semantic Dimensions" properly, correctly, and on time. This paper is
structured so that readers can know more about semantics studies. This paper
contain from various part and because of the aid and help of God Almighty,
these papers were finally resolved.

The compilers also thanked Dr. Syarifa Rafiqa, M.Pd as the lecture in
English Semantics subject, who have many professors help the compilers
to complete this paper. Hopefully, this paper can give a broader insight to
the reader. Although this paper has advantages and disadvantages. For
suggestions and criticism. Thank you.

Tarakan, 8 February 2024

i
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE .................................................................................................. i
TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................... ii
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION.............................................................. 1
A. Background ....................................................................................... 1
B. Problem Formulation ........................................................................ 2
C. Purpose .............................................................................................. 2
CHAPTER II THEORY AND DISCUSSION........................................ 3
A. The Definition of Lexemes ............................................................... 3
B. The Concepts of Sense, Reference, Denotation, and Connotation
Interpretation in Language ................................................................ 3
C. The Concept of Composotionality .................................................... 4
D. The Differences Between Levels of Meaning in Language ............. 5
E. The Relationship Between Object Language and Metalanguage in
Semantic ............................................................................................ 7

CHAPTER III CLOSING ........................................................................ 8

A. Conclusion ........................................................................................ 8
B. Advise ............................................................................................... 8
REFERENCES .......................................................................................... 9

ii
 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

A. Background
In linguistic studies and language comprehension, it is crucial to
understand the fundamental elements that shape the structure of language. One
key element in linguistic analysis is "lexemes" or lexical units, which are the
smallest units carrying meaning in language. Furthermore, understanding
semantic dimensions such as sense, reference, denotation, and connotation is
essential as they influence how words are understood and used in specific
contexts.
Moreover, the concept of compositionality is a crucial aspect of linguistics
that explains how the meaning of sentences or phrases is formed from the
meanings of their parts. By grasping the principle of compositionality, we can
explore how words are combined to form more complex meanings. Additionally,
understanding levels of meaning in language helps us comprehend the complexity
in interpreting language, ranging from literal meanings to more abstract and
figurative ones.
Lastly, it is important to grasp the distinction between object language and
metalanguage. Object language refers to the language being discussed or
analyzed, while metalanguage is the language used to talk about the language
itself. Understanding the relationship between the two aids in deepening our
understanding of language structure and usage in a linguistic context. By
comprehending these basic concepts, we can develop a deeper understanding of
the complexity of language and the processes of human communication.

1
B. Problem Formulation
1. What is Lexemes?
2. How the concepts of sense, reference, denotation, and connotation
interpretation in language?
3. What is compositionality?
4. What are the differences between levels of meaning in language?
5. What is the relationship between object language and metalanguage in
semantic?
C. Purpose
1. Knowing the what lexemes is
2. Knowing the concepts of sense, reference, denotation, and connotation
interpretation in language
3. Knowing the concept of composotionality
4. Knowing the differences between levels of meaning in language
5. Knowing the relationship between object language and metalanguage in
semantic

2
 CHAPTER II
THEORY AND DISCUSSION
A. The Definition of Lexemes
A lexeme is a unit of language that represents a single, distinct meaning.
It is the abstract form of a word that includes all its inflected forms and variations.
For example, the word "walk" is a lexeme that includes variations such as "walks,"
"walked," and "walking." In linguistics, lexemes are used to study the ways in
which words are related to one another and how they function in sentences. By
analyzing lexemes, linguists can gain insights into the structure and meaning of
language. In other words, Lexemes are the headwords of dictionaries. This means
it is the most grammatically basic form of the word.

B. The Concepts of Sense, Reference, Denotation, and Connotation

Interpretation in Language

1. Sense : This is like the core idea or concept behind a word. It's what the word
generally means or represents. When you hear or see a word, its sense is what
pops into your head as the basic understanding. For example, when you think
of the word "queen," you picture a woman who rules over a country. The
sense of a word stays the same no matter where or how you use it.
2. Reference : This is about what the word points to or talks about in a specific
situation or context. It's like the real-life thing or situation that the word is
referring to when it's used in a sentence. For instance, if someone says "The
queen has fallen off the table," the reference of "queen" could be a specific
queen, like Queen Elizabeth II. So, reference is all about the specific person,
thing, or idea that the word is talking about at that moment.
3. Denotation : This is like the big group or category of things that a word could
be referring to. It's all the stuff that fits under the general meaning of the word.
For example, the denotation of the word "table" includes all kinds of tables
you can think of, like dining tables, coffee tables, picnic tables, and so on.

3
 Denotation is like the umbrella term that covers all the different examples or
instances that fit the meaning of the word.
4. Connotation: This is like the extra layer of meaning or feeling that comes with
a word, beyond its basic definition. It's the associations, emotions, or ideas
that people connect with the word based on their personal experiences or
cultural background. For example, "police officer" might sound more formal
and respectful, while "cop" might sound more casual or informal, even though
they both mean the same thing. Connotation adds depth and nuance to the
word, shaping how we perceive and use it in different contexts.

So, sense is the core idea behind a word, reference is what the word refers to in a
specific context, denotation is the broad category of things that the word could
refer to, and connotation is the extra layer of meaning or feeling associated with
the word.

C. The Concept of Composotionality

Frege's Principle, also known as the Principle of Semantic

Compositionality, says that the meaning of a complex sentence depends on the
meanings of its individual parts and how they're put together. This idea has been
very important in formal semantics, affecting modern linguistics, especially with
Montague Grammars, and it's also guiding some approaches in cognitive science.
Compositionality refers to the property of language where the meaning of
sentences is derived from the meanings of their individual parts, such as words or
phrases, and the way they are combined. In other words, the overall meaning of a
sentence is constructed from the meanings of its smaller components. For
example, the sentences "The novelist has seen the buffalo" and "A buffalo has
eaten a passing contemporary novelist" both convey different meanings based on
the arrangement and combination of the words involved. This ability to create new
meaningful sentences by combining known words in different ways is attributed
to compositionality.

4
 Compositionality can understanding the meanings of individual words
and allows us to comprehend the meanings of sentences constructed from those
words. However, it notes that not all combinations of words follow this principle.
Idioms, such as "throw in the towel," have meanings that cannot be inferred from
the individual meanings of their components, making them non-compositional.
So, compositionality in language refers to the property where the meanings of
sentences are determined by the meanings of their constituent parts and the way
they are combined, allowing for the creation of new meaningful expressions
through varied word arrangements. In semantics, mathematical logic and related
disciplines, the principle of compositionality is the principle that the meaning of
a complex expression is determined by the meanings of its constituent expressions
and the rules used to combine them.

D. The Differences Between Levels of Meaning in Language

There is the different levels of meaning in language:
1. Word Meaning: This refers to the meaning of individual words, which can be
understood through a dictionary definition or the basic concept conveyed by the
word. For example, the word "cook" typically means someone who prepares food.
2. Sentence Meaning*: This is the compositional meaning of a sentence, which is
derived from the meanings of its individual words or lexemes. It represents the
literal interpretation of a sentence based on its structure and the meanings of its
constituent parts. For example, the sentence "You’re a very tidy cook, I see" has
a literal meaning that can be understood by analyzing the meanings of the words
"tidy," "cook," and "see."
3. Utterance Meaning*: This refers to the meaning that words convey in a specific
context or situation when used in speech or writing. Utterance meaning may differ
from sentence meaning because it takes into account contextual factors such as
tone, intention, and speaker's perspective. For example, when Brenda says
"You’re a very tidy cook, I see" in response to Peter spilling spaghetti, she is using
irony to convey the opposite of the literal meaning. In this context, the utterance
meaning of Brenda's statement is that Peter is not a tidy cook.

5
 In some sources there are also 3 difference levelk of meaning

1. Expression meaning is the meaning of a simple or complex expression taken

in isolationt. It refers to the meaning or sense conveyed by an expression or
sentence. For example like phrase “ For example like expression "Love
conquers all”. The expression meaning of "Love conquers all" refers to the
general idea or concept that love is powerful and can overcome obstacles.
2. Utterance meaning is the meaning of an expression when used in a given
context of utterance; fixed reference and truth value for declarative sentences.
For example like sentence “ I don’t need your bicycle”. The utterance meaning
of "I don't need your bicycle" depends on the specific context in which it is
used. For instance, if Mary says this to John while discussing borrowing his
bicycle, it means that she currently doesn't require his bicycle for a particular
purpose.
3. Communicative meaning is the meaning of an utterance as a communicative
act in a given social setting. For example "Would you like some coffee?". The
communicative meaning of "Would you like some coffee?" extends beyond
the literal meaning of the question. It includes the social setting and the
speaker's intention to offer hospitality or engage in conversation. The response
to this question isn't just about whether the person wants coffee but also about
the social dynamics and expectations of the situation.

Furthermore, while sentence meaning is based on the literal interpretation of words in a

sentence, utterance meaning depends on the specific context of use and may involve non-
literal uses of language, such as irony or metaphor. This distinction between sentence
meaning and utterance meaning is important in understanding how language is used in
different contexts and how meaning is conveyed beyond the literal interpretation of words
and sentences.

6
E. The Relationship Between Object Language and Metalanguage in

Semantic
Object language, in semantics and logic, the ordinary language used to talk
about things or objects in the world—as contrasted with metalanguage, an
artificial language used by linguists and others to analyze or describe the sentences
or elements of object language itself. Object language refers to the programming
language used to write the source code of a program. That is, it is the language we
use to create and develop applications. Some common examples of object
languages are C++, Java, Python, and JavaScript. These languages allow
programmers to write instructions and algorithms in a structured, machine-
readable way.
On the other hand, metalanguage is a language used to describe and
analyze other languages, including the object language. That is, it is a language
that is used to talk or discuss other languages. Metalanguage allows us to analyze
the syntax and semantics of an object language, as well as study its behavior and
properties. A common example of a metalanguage is the formal specification
language, which is used to describe and verify software systems.

7
 CHAPTER III

CLOSING

A. Conclution
In conclusion, our exploration of lexical units and semantic dimensions
has provided valuable insights into the fundamental elements of language
structure and meaning. We have learned that lexemes serve as the building blocks
of language, representing single, distinct meanings and encompassing various
inflected forms and variations. Understanding semantic dimensions such as sense,
reference, denotation, and connotation is crucial as they influence how words are
interpreted and used in different contexts. We have also delved into the concept
of compositionality, which explains how the meaning of sentences is derived from
the meanings of their individual parts and their combination.
Overall, this paper has provided a comprehensive overview of lexical units
and semantic dimensions, offering valuable insights into the structure and
meaning of language. We hope that this paper contributes to a broader
understanding of semantics studies and serves as a useful resource for further
exploration in the field of linguistics.

B. Advise

As we progress in our exploration of English semantics, we recommend

further investigation and analysis of specific linguistic phenomena and their
implications. Additionally, we advise conducting empirical studies and
experiments to validate theoretical frameworks and hypotheses in semantics.
Collaborating with peers and participating in academic conferences and
workshops can also enrich our understanding and contribute to the advancement
of knowledge in this field. Lastly, we emphasize the importance of continuous
learning and staying updated with current developments and debates in

English semantics to gain new insights and perspectives.

8
 REFERENCES
Riemer, N. (2010). Introducing semantics (Edisi ke-1). Cambridge
University Press. New York

Pelletier, F.J. The Principle of Semantic Compositionality. Topoi 13, 11–24

(1994).

Study Smarter. (n.d.). Lexeme: Definition, Types, Functions & Examples.

Retrieved February 9, 2024 from:
https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/english/morphology/le
xeme/

Schwabe, Susanne. 2019. "Semantics: Meaning and Semantics." Leibniz-

Zentrum Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft (ZAS). Retrieved February
9, 2024 from:
https://www.leibnizzas.de/fileadmin/Archiv2019/mitarbeiter/schwab
e/teaching/Semantics__1_Meaning_and_semantics.pdf

Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Object Language". Retrieve February 9, 2024

from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/object-language

9
10
11