Semantics

2008-1-8

Summaries

Semantics is the most important part of making a dictionary.

1. SEMANTICS: THE STUDY OF MEANING

Meanings are expressed by definitions.

2. Main types of definition

  • Componential definition
    • splits the meaning of a lexical item into components
    • e.g. standard dictionary definition by genus proximum and differentia specifica
  • Syntagmatic definition
    • contextual definition
    • definition by text examples
  • Paradigmatic definition
    • word fields (e.g. in a thesaurus, synonym dictionary)
    • semantic relations: hyponyms, hyperonyms; co-hyponyms: synonyms, antonyms

Contextual definitions - definition by illustrating the meaning in context

Onomasiological dictionary ---> paradigmatic definition - based on similarity and difference.

Ostensive definition - by showing a model.

Microstructure information types

Task

1. What is a definition?

A definition is a form of words which states the meaning of a term. This may either be the meaning which it bears in general use (a descriptive definition), or that which the speaker intends to impose upon it for the purpose of his or her discourse (a stipulative definition). The term to be defined is known as the definiendum (Latin: that which is to be defined). The form of words which defines it is known as the definiens (Latin: that which is doing the defining).  

2. What is "semantic relations"?

  • taxonomy (generalisation-specialisation relation, paradigmatic relations )

o hyperonym - general term, e.g. dog, pet

o hyponym - specific term, special term, e.g. poddle

- synonym

- antonym:

opposite complementary

inverse

- co-hyponym

  • meronomy (part-whole relation, syntagmatic relations )

All above are quoted from the notes of the lecture given by Dr. Gibbon.

Evaluation

As said at the very beginning, this lecture is the most important section in the whole course. However, it's not hard to understand.

Reference

  • Gibbon, Dafydd. "Semantics." 17.12.2007. University of Bielefeld. 18.12.2007 <http://wwwhomes.uni-bielefeld.de/~gibbon/Classes/Classes2007WS/HTMD/htmd09-semantics-v02.pdf>.