Introduction to Semantics.pptVIP

SEMANTICS (I) Linguistics - wjg wjg Introduction to Semantics 王建国 Foreign Language College, Zhejiang Normal University Lectures for Undergraduates (2004.2-2004.7) Objectives or the main purposes: To make you equip with the basic knowledge on semantics To help you set up sketchy framework of semantics To provide you a guidance for further study in this realm or area The main contents Lone: Introduction:what is semantics? L two:Basic concepts in semantics L three:Meaning,thought,and reality(I) L four:Meaning,thought,and reality(II) L five:Sense relation and word meaning(I) L six:Sentence meaning and logic (II) L seven:Sentence semantics(I) L eight:Sentence semantics(II) L nine:Context and inference L ten:Speech act theory(I) L eleven:Speech act theory(II) L twelve:Meaning components(I) L thirteen:Meaning components(II) L fourteen:Formal semantics L fifteen:Cognitive semantics L sixteen:uncertain Lecture One What is semantics? Semantics is the study of meanings Non-verbal semantics Meaning transferred without using vocal orthographic system Verbal semantics Meaning transferred with language, in another word, is the study of meaning in language That’s what we focus on Non-verbal semantics Vision: 2. Audio: 3.Audiovisual Lecture two: The basic concepts Semantics vs semiotics Semiotics:( Ferdinand de Saussure)the study of the types of relationship that may hold between a sign and the object it represents. Signifier:the sound image Signified:mental concept Example: car [ka:] cow[ka] Saussure:the study of linguistic meaning is a part of the general study of the use of sign systems – semiotics Semiotics : non-verbal/verbal Three challenges in doing semantics: Definitions theory:give the meanings of linguistic expressions we should establish definitions of the meanings of words Circularity(the standard or criterion of language): use metalanguage to describe the semantic units and rules of all languages. Linguistic knowledge