1 - Semantics vs Pragmatics vs Syntax - Introduction to Semantics

by Panzer
Hello Hello Hello.
In this lesson, we are talking about Semantics.
What is Semantics about?
Semantics is one branch of Linguistics.
Linguistics has three branches: Syntax, Semantics and Pragmatics.
SYNTAX is the study of grammar (including phonology, morphology, and textual
grammar).
Semantics and pragmatics deal with meaning.
SEMANTICS is the study of MEANING in LANGUAGE.
PRAGMATICS considers the MEANING in SOCIAL CONTEXTS and the ways people produce and comprehend
MEANINGS through language.
(or what people mean by the language they use).
Note that Semantics is context-free.
On the other hand, pragmatics is context-dependent.
Let’s check the following 2 examples.
Example 1: Peter says: “Coming down to the pub tonight?”
Bill says: “I’ve got to finish a piece of work .”
The semantic meaning is: “Bill’s reply just informs Peter he has
a piece of work to finish.”
The pragmatic meaning is: “Bill’s reply will normally be taken to
indicate that he is not free to go to the pub, even though he does not actually say
that.”
Example 2: “There's a new Korean restaurant on Vo Thi
Sau Street.”
The semantic meaning is:
The speaker simply informs the hearer of the new Korean restaurant on Vo Thi Sau Street.
The pragmatic meaning is:
The speaker suggests trying that new restaurant.
In other words, we can say
Semantic meaning is the SENTENCE MEANING (or WORD MEANING).
It is what a sentence (or a word) means, or what it counts as the equivalent in the
language concerned.
Pragmatic meaning is the SPEAKER MEANING.
It is what a speaker means (or intends to convey)
when he uses a piece of language.
In summary,
SEMANTICS is the study of MEANING in LANGUAGE, SENTENCE MEANING, or WORD MEANING).
And it is context-free.
PRAGMATICS considers the MEANING in SOCIAL CONTEXTS, or SPEAKER MEANING.