L2.Semantics &Pragmatics

Semantics &Pragmatics

Semantics: deals with the description of words and sentences meaning.
Pragmatics: concerned with the characterization of speaker s meaning factors that govern a language user s choice of utterance.

Pragmatics :
- Choices the users make.
- Constraints the users encounter in using language in social situations.
- The effects their (users) use of language on other participants in communication. For example, people must not tell jokes at funerals (there is no law to do so, but it is generally not done).
Denotation & connotation:
Denotation :
- Basic, essential component of meaning by literal use of a word (i.e. dictionary definition).
- e.g. (1): needle (basic component)

- thin
- sharp part of denotative meaning of needle
- steel
- instrument

The connotation (association) attached to the word needle is (painful) whenever we encounter or hear the word.
e.g. (2):adolescent
- Denotative meaning a person of a certain age.
- Connotative meaning awkward immature, obstinate, moody.

Connotative: is an aspect of meaning which is based on: feeling and ideas
whicharouse in the minds of speakers
writers
hearers
adults

Semantic features animate is a procedure that is
male /female used as a means of
human analyzing meaning .e.g.
adult [ + human],[-animate],
[+male] can be treated