《英语词汇学》（英文版）Chapter 6 Word Meaning and Semantic Relations

Unit 6 Word meaning and Semantic relations

Unit 6 Word Meaning and Semantic Relations

John lyons gives us ten sentences to discuss what meaning is 1)What is the meaning of sesquipedalian (signify 2)I did not mean to hurt you (intend)

John Lyons gives us ten sentences to discuss what meaning is: 1)What is the meaning of “sesquipedalian?” (signify) 2)I did not mean to hurt you (intend)

3)He never says what he means (suggesting the possibility of saying one thing and meaning another 4)She rarely means what she says (suggesting the possibility of saying one thing and meaning another

3)He never says what he means. (suggesting the possibility of saying one thing and meaning another.) 4)She rarely means what she says. (suggesting the possibility of saying one thing and meaning another.)

5)Life without faith has no meaning. Significance. value 6)what do you mean by the word” concept? Intend to say

5)Life without faith has no meaning. (significance, value) 6)what do you mean by the word”concept”? (intend to say)

7)He means well but he is rather clumsy. (intends) 8)Fame and richness mean nothing to the true scholar (have no significance for)

7)He means well but he is rather clumsy. (intends) 8)Fame and richness mean nothing to the true scholar. (have no significance for)

9)Dark clouds mean rain (are a sign of) 10)It was John I meant nor Harry. (have in mind)

9) Dark clouds mean rain. (are a sign of) 10)It was John I meant nor Harry. (have in mind)

Semantics refers not only to word meaning but also to sentence meaning E. g 1)His typewriter has bad intentions Anomalous 2)my unmarried sister is married to a achelor contradictory

Semantics refers not only to word meaning but also to sentence meaning. E.g. 1) His typewriter has bad intentions. Anomalous 2)my unmarried sister is married to a bachelor. contradictory

3 )John was looking for the glasses Ambiguous 4 )a. The needle is too short B. The needle is not long enough Synonymous

3)John was looking for the glasses. Ambiguous 4)a. The needle is too short. B. The needle is not long enough. synonymous

5)a. Many of the students were unable to answer your question. B. Only a few students grasped your question (The meaning of one sentence follows from the other

5)a.Many of the students were unable to answer your question. B. Only a few students grasped your question. (The meaning of one sentence follows from the other.)

6)a. How long did Archibald remain in Monte Carlo? B. Archibald remained in monte Carlo for some time (the first implies the second)

6) a. How long did Archibald remain in Monte Carlo? B. Archibald remained in Monte Carlo for some time. (the first implies the second.)