LIGN 130 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Pragmatics
12 Apr 2017
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Document Summary
Form can be replicated even by animals, but content is what makes language a suitable tool for communication. Semantic theory characterizes the systematic meaning relations between words and sentences of a language. Ignore moral values, purposes, intentions, to imply , non symbolic systems. Restricted to to denote, to be described or defined as, sense, denotation, signification, acceptation. Words primarily stand for ideas e. g. concepts, mental representations. Problem: does not give a clear view of the relation between words, concepts, and the outside world. We use language to talk about the outside world. Language also serves to represent information about the mental states of other people as well. Problem: does not imply a psychological import. Ideally a theory that combines both is the best. Grammar: describes what internal knowledge fluent speakers. Three essential elements to language as a means of communication. To denote, to be described or defined as, sense, denotation, signification. The interaction of semantics with syntax and pragmatics.
