English (S7) - II

ENGLISH (S7)-II
LEVELS OF LINGUISTICS
1) Phonology
2) Morphology
3) Syntax
4)Semantics
5) Pragmatics
Course Name - Sem (Faculty Name)
UNIT No & Unit Name
TYBA - VI (Mr. Meharaj Shaikh)

UNIT No-1 Semantics and Meaning CENTRE FOR DISTANCE AND ONLINE
ENGLISH (S7)-II
Meaning of the Term ‘Semantics’

Semantics, also called semiotics, semology, or semasiology, the
philosophical and scientific study of meaning in natural and artificial
languages. The term 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 sēmeiō tikos (“pertaining to signs”); semiology from
UNIT No & Unit Name
sēma (“sign”) + logos (“account”); and semasiology from sēmasia

(“signification”) + logos.

ENGLISH (S7)-II
Varieties of meaning:
The notion of linguistic meaning, the special concern of philosophical
and linguistic semantics, must be distinguished from other common
notions with which it is sometimes confused. Among them are
natural meaning, as in smoke means fire or those spots mean measles;
conventional meaning, as in a red traffic light means stop or the skull
and crossbones means danger; and intentional meaning, as in John
means well or Frank means business.
UNIT No & Unit Name

ENGLISH (S7)-II
Varieties of meaning:
The notion of linguistic meaning, in contrast, is the one exemplified in
the following sentences:
The words bachelor and unmarried man have the same meaning (are
synonymous).
The word bank has several meanings (is ambiguous).
The word gay has two meanings (double meaning).
The string of words colourless green ideas sleep furiously is
UNIT No & Unit Name
meaningless (anomalous).
The sentence all bachelors are unmarried is true by virtue of its
meaning (is analytic).
ENGLISH (S7)-II
Definition of the term ‘Semantics’

“Semantics is the study of meaning in language”.
“Semantics concerns itself with giving a systematic account of the nature
of meaning” (Leech, 1981).
We know that language is used to express meanings which can be

understood by others. But meanings exist in our minds and we can
express
No & Unit Namewhat is in our minds through the spoken and written forms of
UNIT
language (as well as through gestures, action etc.). The sound patterns
of language are studied at the level of phonology and the organization of
words and sentences is studied at the level of morphology and syntax.
ENGLISH (S7)-II
Definition of the term ‘Semantics’

How is language organized in order to be meaningful?
This is the question we ask and attempt to answer at the level of
semantics. Semantics is that level of linguistic analysis where
meaning is analyzed. It is the most abstract level of linguistic
analysis, since we cannot see or observe meaning as we can observe
and record sounds. Meaning is related very closely to the human
capacity
No & Unit Name to think logically and to understand. So when we try to
UNIT
analyze meaning, we are trying to analyze our own capacity to think

and understand our own ability to create meaning.

ENGLISH (S7)-II
What is Meaning?
Philosophers have puzzled over this question for over 2000 years.
Their thinking begins from the question of the relationship between
words and the objects which words represent.
For example, we may ask: What is the meaning of the word “cow”?
One answer would be that it refers to an animal who has certain
properties, that distinguish it from other animals, who are
called by other names. Where do these names come from and why
UNIT No & Unit Name
does the word “cow” mean only that particular animal and none
other?

ENGLISH (S7)-II
What is Meaning?
Some thinkers say that there is no essential
connection between the word “cow” and
the animal indicated by the word, but we
have established this connection by
convention and thus it continues to be so.
Others would say that there are some
essential
No & Unit Name attributes of that animal which we
UNIT
perceive in our minds and our concept of

that animal is created for which we create a
corresponding word.
ENGLISH (S7)-II
Definitions of the term “ Meaning”

Ogden and Richards give the following list of some definitions of
“meaning”.
Meaning can be any of the following:
1. An intrinsic (Essential) property of some thing
2. Other words related to that word in a dictionary
3. The connotations of a word
4. The thing to which the speaker of that word refers
5. The thing to which the speaker of that word should refer
UNIT No & Unit Name
6. The thing to which the speaker of that word believes himself to be

referring
7. The thing to which the hearer of that word believes is being referred to

ENGLISH (S7)-II
These definitions refer to many different ways in which meaning is

understood. One reason for the range of definitions of meaning is that
words (or signs) in a language are of different types. Some signs
indicate meaning in a direct manner, e.g. an arrow (→) indicates
direction. Some signs are representative of the thing indicated, e.g.
onomatopoeic words such as “buzz”, “zoom” “tinkle”, “ring”; even
“cough”, “slam”, “rustle” have onomatopoeic qualities. Some signs do
not No & have
Unit Name any resemblance to the thing they refer to, but as they stand
UNIT
for that thin, they are symbolic.

ENGLISH (S7)-II
THANK
UNIT No & Unit Name
YOU

English (S7) - II

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ENGLISH (S7)-II

TYBA - VI (Mr. Meharaj Shaikh)

Meaning of the Term ‘Semantics’

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

TYBA - VI (Mr. Meharaj Shaikh)

TYBA - VI (Mr. Meharaj Shaikh)

Definition of the term ‘Semantics’

We know that language is used to express meanings which can be

Definition of the term ‘Semantics’

analyze meaning, we are trying to analyze our own capacity to think

TYBA - VI (Mr. Meharaj Shaikh)

TYBA - VI (Mr. Meharaj Shaikh)

perceive in our minds and our concept of

Definitions of the term “ Meaning”

6. The thing to which the speaker of that word believes himself to be

TYBA - VI (Mr. Meharaj Shaikh)

These definitions refer to many different ways in which meaning is

for that thin, they are symbolic.

TYBA - VI (Mr. Meharaj Shaikh)

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