LIN 205 Lecture Notes - Downward Entailing, Lap Dog, Green Door
5 Sep 2014
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Document Summary
Syntax determines the order of word/phrases combination, and therefore, the meaning of the sentence: the cow chased the farmer with an axe, the cow chased the farmer with an axe, un[lockable, un[lock[able]] A syntactically well-formed sentence can be semantically odd. A semantically coherent sentence may be prohibited by syntax. There are two central aspects to linguistic meaning. Sense: the abstract mental characterization of a concept. Cat={whiskers, tail, fur, four legs, triangular ears, slit eyes, } If "a kitty is asleep" is true then "a cat is asleep" is also true. Reference: relation between a word and something in the world. "you" and "john" (can refer to the same thing in a certain context, but do not have the same meaning). Monday, a dog was sleeping on my doorstep. Tuesday, a dog was barking on my window. Though the words mean the same thing, they could be referring to different objects. No cat can resist the joy of chasing a ball.
