当代语言学导论课件lecture7semantics.pptVIP

Lecture 7 From Meaning to Function Sign/symbol and meaning ^ _ ^ Smile Sterling Icon of peace Natural index 1. The Symbolic System A. Natural Symbols. They are part of natural phenomena, e.g. lightning in the thunderstorm. B. Artificial Symbols. They are mental representations of entities. Saussurean arbitrariness An association of concepts with abstract representations of sound In any language the relation between  sounds and meaning is arbitrary. There are only a small number of words whose relation can be explained, but whose pronunciation still cannot be uniform among languages. e.g. onomatopoeia (echo words): cuckoo (English), coucou (French), Kuckuck (German) Kakuk (Hungarian) Kokkyx (Greek) bugu (Chinese) Language is a symbolic system in which the relation between signs (signified) and sounds (signifier) is arbitrary. Arbitrariness comes from having to code a whole universe of meanings. Semantics 语义学 The study of meaning communicated through language. Ogden Richards’ Semantic Triangle Semantic Triangle More widely, can anyone guarantee that a concept coming to his mind when he uses a word is going to be the same as the one brought to his reader’s mind? Therefore, a concept so produced cannot be regarded simply as the word’s meaning. Pierce’s Semiotic Triangle is also useful in analyzing semantic relationships. Semiotics 符号学 The study of the relationships between a sign and the object it represents. Pierce’s Semiotic Triangle A sign is a pattern of data which, when perceived, brings to mind something other than itself. Although this definition appears simple on the surface, it has complex implications. Please pause to look at the following picture for a moment. Now, describe briefly to yourse