1.

TRIANGLE OF MEANING IN
SEMANTICS
2. THE CONCEPT OF MEANING
AND THE SENTENCE
 PART 1
Triangle of meaning in semantics
Ogden & Richards (1923): Semantic
Triangle (Triangle of Meaning)

At the heart of Richards' theory of meaning is

a device called the "semantic triangle“. Each
corner of the triangle corresponds to a
component that is integrally involved in the
process of meaning.
Semantic Triangle of Ogden & Richards

REFERENCE– is the definition of the meaning relationship between

symbol and referent
REFERENT-- are the objects that are perceived and that create the
impression stored in the thought area (reference).
SYMBOL-- is the word that calls up the referent through the mental
processes of the reference.
As demonstrated by the illustration above, the word “dog” is
associated in the reader’s mind with a particular animal. The
word is not the animal, but the association links the two.
Semantics -- LIN1180
 PART 2
The concept of meaning and the Sentence
Sentence Semantics

Semantics -- LIN1180
1. Proposition

A proposition is defined as the content of a complete sentence (Consisting of Subject,

Predicate, Object/Compliment) based on the meaning of complete statements that can be
true or false.
Example:
My mother is washing the clothes
The clothes are washed by my mother
My mother is doing something to the clothes

Semantics -- LIN1180
 Proposition Label
p

p
The clothes are dirty

p
The clothes are dirty, they are crumpled q
The clothes are dirty, they are crumpled, and they are
p q r
washed by my mother

Semantics -- LIN1180
2. Entailment

An entailment is a further semantic relationship (logical relationship) between propositions.

where the truth of one proposition (p) requires the truth of the others (q) and vice versa.

Entailment

Logical relationship
p q
Propositions Propositions
Semantics -- LIN1180
Entailment Label
⊨ Is called double turnstile

Rudi Statement A: "I will turn 28 this year;"

p

Rudi Statement B: "I am currently living."

q

if I am not currently living, then I cannot age, and therefore I

will not turn 28 this year.
⊨ Semantics -- LIN1180
 I love you
Rudi So you love
me, Sarah?

Yes, I do

So Do I

Sarah and Rudi love each other.

⊨
3. Predicate Logic

Predicate logic is the element of meaning that determines

what kind of property, event, or relationship is being
described.

Semantics -- LIN1180
Predicate p
logic
Predication (P)

Predicate (argument1……….argumentn)

P (x) ~ x is a P
p: Sarah loves Rudi
P: Loves arg: (Sarah, Rudi)
Semantics -- LIN1180
 Another Example of Predicate Logic

Henry thinks that Anne is beautiful.

P: thinks that, is beautiful
arg: Henry, Anne

Noted: predicate logic can be expressed grammatically as

verbs, adjectives, common nouns, or even prepositions.

Semantics -- LIN1180
THANK YOU

Semantics -- LIN1180