Semantics and Pragmatics
1. Semantics
Semantics is the branch of
linguistics that studies meaning in language. It deals with the meaning of
words, phrases, and sentences as part of the language system itself. Semantics
focuses on literal meaning, that is, meaning that does not depend on context,
speaker intention, or situation.
Semantics
- Studies dictionary meaning
- Concerned with sentence meaning
- Meaning is stable and fixed
- Independent of context
Examples:
- "Tree" → a tall plant
with trunk and branches
- "The earth moves around the sun." → factual meaning
2. Pragmatics
Pragmatics is the branch of
linguistics that studies meaning in context. It explains how meaning changes
according to situation, speaker intention, relationship between speakers, and
social and cultural factors.
Pragmatics
- Studies speaker meaning
- Meaning depends on context
- Focuses on intention and situation
- Meaning is flexible
Example:
"It’s very noisy here."
Semantic meaning → There is noise
Pragmatic meaning → Close the door /
move away / reduce volume
3. Speech Act Theory
(a) Locutionary Act
– actual words spoken
Example:
"I will help you."
(b) Illocutionary Act – intention behind words
Example:
promise
(c) Perlocutionary Act – effect on listener
Example:
listener feels relieved
4. Cooperative Principle
H. P. Grice has discussed about cooperative
principles. Grice stated that effective communication depends on cooperation
between speakers and listeners, and this cooperation is guided by four
conversational rules called Maxims. There are four maxims as follows:
1. Maxim of
Quantity
2. Maxim of
Quality
3. Maxim of
Relation
4. Maxim of
Manner
1. Maxim of Quantity – Be
Informative
This maxim says:
- Give as much
information as needed.
- Do not give
too little information.
- Do not give
too much unnecessary information.
The speaker should provide the right amount of information — not less,
not more.
Example:
“The library is next to the
office.”
Explanation:
If someone
asks, “Where is the library?”
This answer is:
- Sufficient → It tells the exact location.
- Not
excessive → It
doesn’t give extra irrelevant details like building color, floor number,
or history.
Violation Example:
“Somewhere in the campus.” → too little information
“The library is next to the office, built in 1998, with 3 floors and
20,000 books.” → too much information
2. Maxim of Quality – Be
Truthful
This maxim says:
- Say only
what you believe is true.
- Do not say
what is false.
- Do not say
things without evidence.
In short: Don’t lie. Don’t guess. Don’t mislead.
Example:
“The exam is on Friday.”
Explanation:
This follows the maxim if:
- The speaker
knows the exam is actually on Friday.
- The information
is reliable and confirmed.
Violation Example:
“The exam is cancelled” (when it is not cancelled)
“I think the exam is on Friday”
(without checking)
3. Maxim of Relation
(Relevance) – Be Relevant
This maxim says:
- Your answer
should be related to the topic.
- Do not change
the topic unnecessarily.
- Do not give
irrelevant responses.
Example:
Question: “Did you
finish your homework?”
Answer: “Yes, I completed my
homework.”
Explanation:
The answer is:
- Direct
- Relevant
- Connected to
the question
Violation Example:
Q: “Did you finish your homework?”
A: “The weather is very nice today.”
This breaks the maxim because the
response is irrelevant.
4. Maxim of Manner – Be
Clear
This maxim says:
- Be clear
- Be simple
- Be orderly
- Avoid ambiguity,
confusion, and complexity
It focuses on how something is
said, not what is said.
Example:
“Turn left after the
temple.”
Explanation:
This instruction is:
- Clear
- Simple
- Easy to follow
- Not confusing
Violation Example:
“Proceed in a non-linear
direction after encountering a religious structure.” (Too complex and unclear)
“Go there and then turn somewhere.”
(Vague and
confusing)
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