Metalanguage - Semantics

What are semantics?

The study of understanding and meaning in communication, including both logical meaning and lexical (dictionary) meaning. Includes semantic domain, inference and the relationship between meaning and sign.

What is the relationship between meaning and sign?

The relationship between meaning and sign involves understanding how language uses signs to convey meaning. Meaning and communication occur because of the relationship between the signifier and the signified.

What is a sign and its two parts?

Signs include words, images or sounds)

The sign consists of two parts:

Signifier - physical form of the sign, e.g. the 3 letters that make up the word cat

Signified - concept signifier represents, e.g. the idea of a small, domesticated feline

What is a semantic domain?

Specific areas of meaning and the set of words and expressions that have related meanings or cover the relevant subject matter. E.g. semantic domain of weather includes words like rain, cloudy, storm and temperature. Helps organise vocab and connect concepts.

What is inference

The process of drawing a logical conclusion from one or more statements or facts, using existing knowledge. We derive suggested or hinted meanings. E.g. From 'the ground is wet' we may infer that it has recently rained.