Semantics

The term semantics is often defined as the study of meaning. It might be more accurate to define it as the study of the relationship between linguistic form and meaning. This relationship is clearly rule-governed, just as other aspects of linguistic structure are. When we study semantics we are trying to understand this shared system of rules that allows hearers to correctly interpret what speakers intend to communicate. Semantics is concerned with the inherent meaning of words and sentences as linguistic expressions, in and of themselves. (Kroeger, 2018, p. 4)

Below you can find of list of terms commonly found in the discussion of semantics. Click a term and you will be directed to a page with a definition of the term and examples in Hul’q’umi’num’, Skwxwú7mesh, and Secwepemctsin if they are available.

List of Terms

Familiarity
Familiarity Hierarchy
Mapping Principle
Reflexive
Argument
Predicate
Predicate Head
Second-position Predicate Particle
Deixis
Discourse Roles
Speaker
Audience
Theta Roles
Agent Role
Patient/Theme Role

TBC…