Semantics

Questions on Unit 1
1. True or False:
a) Semantics is the study of how words are formed and their relationship to
other words in the same language. (false)
b) Sentence meaning is concerned with the intention of the speaker. (false)
c) Intelligible sentences can be nonsensical. (true)
d) Dictionaries are the primary source of information about meaning in a
language. (false)
e) Semantic theory deals with differences in meaning in all languages. (false)

2. In what way are the two following exchanges different:

(1) (2)
A: Where have you been? A: The match was great yesterday.
B: I was at the hospital. B: Yeah, I’m glad we won.

Answer:
In (1), the speakers’ exchange is informative since A asked a genuine
question and B gave a direct answer to the question. On the other hand,
in (2), the speakers’ exchange is meaningful, however not
informativeness. No true exchange of information occurred.

3. Give an example to explain the following:

- Meaningfulness does not equal informativeness. (example in question 2)
- Intelligible sentences do not have to be logical.
Answer: It’s raining cats and dogs.
The suitcase is killing me.

4. Do the following exchanges illustrate speaker meaning or sentence

meaning? Explain your answer.
(1) Ahmed seems to be over the moon. (speaker meaning)

(2) A: What time is it now?

B: Your favourite TV show has just started. (speaker meaning)

(3) A: Do you like ice cream?

B: Does Adele have a good voice? (speaker meaning)
(4) A: When are we going to the gym?
B: When pigs fly. (speaker meaning)

(5) A: Where are you going?

B: To the cinema. (sentence meaning)

All the exchanges that illustrate “speaker meaning” are so because

the meaning of the exchange depends on the intention of the speaker.