Assignment on the Lexical Semantics

Introduction of Lexical Semantics

            In general, lexical semantics refer to the study of meanings of words. In simple words, it is a branch of linguistics, concerned with word meanings. In general, the two most basic questions that are addressed by lexical semantics include: how to account for and consider the variability of meaning in different contexts and how to explain the meanings of words. Usually, semantics involves the deconstructions of sentence structure, signals, and words. It affects our reading comprehension together with the comprehension of words of other people in daily conversation. A large part is played by semantics in our language learning, understanding, and daily communication, without us even realising it. For instance, in daily use, semantics might be used by a child in understanding the directive of a mother.

            It would not be wrong to say that lexical relations are one of the most important and critical semantic relations in the exploration of meanings of words in a language. Mainly, they are used for analysing the meanings of words in terms of their associations with each other within a sentence or phrase. In general, these relations tend to vary in accordance with the kind of the relation that word might have with other words or another word. There are many words that have a number of meanings, homonyms, and in this paper, they will be explored (Geeraerts, 2010).

Words and Mental Images of Lexical Semantics

            Actually, words have a significant connect with mental images. Whenever we think about something, almost immediately, we picture it in our mind. For instance, whenever we think about a dog, a four-legged animal comes in our mind that barks. Whenever we say dog, we always get this mental picture and not any other picture. For instance, whenever we say dog, we never imagine a four-legged animal that is furry and meows. No, that would be a cat. We get this picture in our mind when we say the word cat. For every word, we have a specific picture in our mind and we are able to recognise the object that we imagine when we see it as well. In this manner, words are connected significantly with mental images. This is one of the most important reasons why we are unable to make a picture of an object that we don’t know. For instance, if there is an animal we have not seen, even when we hear about its name in the form of a word, we will not be able to make a clear mental picture in our mind (Pustejovsky, 2012).

Words with Different Meanings: Homonyms of Lexical Semantics

            There are some words in a language that have different meanings and sometimes, they serve to confuse us. Generally, there are numerous such words and they seem to change their meaning in accordance with their association with other words. For instance, there is word “bank.” Actually, this word has a number of meanings. First of all, it refers to an association which seems to collect the money of people. In addition to it, it also refers to the edge of the river. Thus, this word seems to have a number of meanings and they change in terms of the meaning of the whole sentence (Cruse, 2014).

Bank of Lexical Semantics

            When it comes to the dictionary definition, bank has three definition. First of all, it refers to the land sloping down or alongside a lake or a river. The second definition of this word is that it refers to a high or long mass of a specific substance. Lastly, it refers to an association which seems to hold and collect the money of people.

            When it comes to the mental images, whenever we think about a bank, a large association comes into mind which holds money. Usually, this is the only picture that comes to the mind because this bank is the common type that we use on a daily basis.

            Meanwhile, with respect to usage-based definitions, bank is normally used as: I am going to the bank. The bank of this river is quite steep. These are the usage-based definitions because a bank refers to an association that is responsible for holding the money of people and performing actions such as withdrawal and deposition. It also refers to the edge of the river.

Duck of Lexical Semantics

            When it comes to dictionary definitions, duck has a number definitions. First of all, it refers to species of the waterfowl family that includes geese and swans. The second definition of this word is to sit down or lower the body quickly. It also refers to bivalve mollusc found off the American Atlantic coasts. In addition to it, it refers to an amphibious transport vehicle. These are all the dictionary definitions of duck.

            In terms of mental images, the first thing that comes to mind when we say the word duck is a white or yellow sparrow like bird that floats on the water. Since this is the most common meaning of word, it comes to the mind before any other picture.

            In accordance with usage-based definitions, duck refers to small bird that floats on the water. It is used for referring to a pet.

Saw of Lexical Semantics

            In terms of dictionary-based definitions, there are definitions of saw. Saw refers to seeing something in the past tense and the other definition is that saw is a sharp object used for cutting trees as it has a serrated blade.

            It has a mental image of a serrated blade with a wooden handle, used for cutting trees. Meanwhile, when it comes to the usage-based definition, a saw is considered a tool for cutting trees, making logs, and doing work related to wood cutting.

Reference of Lexical Semantics

Mental Image of Lexical Semantics

            For a bank, these are the images which are generally considered. It can be seen above that the actual image is more defined and based on reality while the mental image is more abstract and less defined.

Mental Image

            In terms of the bank river, it can be seen that the actual image is more defined while the mental image is more animated and abstr

Mental Image

            It can be seen that when we think about duck, our mental image is more animated and it does not resemble the actual duck. It is not precise but the mental image does resemble the actual image.

Actual Image

Mental Image

            In terms of saw as well, it can be seen that the mental image is quite different from the actual image. It lacks clarity and precision but it can be seen that it seems to resemble the actual image of saw.

Visual Representation of Lexical Semantics

Figure: Person Seeing Ducks on the Bank of River

            It can be seen in the picture that there is a person looking at ducks as he is sitting at the bank of the river. It can be seen that all the words which have been mentioned above are connected in a way. For instance, the person is sitting on the “bank” of the river and he is “seeing” the floating “ducks.”

Example of References vs. Sense: Santa Claus

            If the example of Santa Claus is analysed under the concept of Reference vs. Sense, then it can be said that this image comes more with a sense then the reference. When the word Santa Claus is heard, a mental image is created, where a Santa is dressed in a red colour suit. The other image comes in mind that Santa will be having gifts in his possession for the Christmas Eve. Santa Claus’s image will be almost similar in nature in everyone’s mind like he will have white hair and beard. When all of this definition made for Santa Claus is analysed closely, it reveals that it is making sense by looking at the object in the real world. This is all the information, which is heard by everyone about Santa Claus, so everyone makes this image in their mind with a similar sense. The part of meaning for the word Santa Claus is not there so that’s why it is not associated with the reference.

Experiences of Lexical Semantics

            Actually, for a long time now, I have been confused by the meanings of words and how different words seem to have different meanings. For instance, the word “bank,” I have used to be confused significantly by this word. I used to confuse the bank of river with the bank that collects the money of people and performs different functions such as deposition and withdrawal. That is why I have been interested in the lexical relations and how different words have different meanings, and how they seem to connect with other words.

Conclusion of Lexical Semantics

            Overall, lexical semantics refer to the study of meanings of words. In simple words, it is a branch of linguistics, concerned with word meanings. In general, the two most basic questions that are addressed by lexical semantics include: how to account for and consider the variability of meaning in different contexts and how to explain the meanings of words. Lexical relations are one of the most important and critical semantic relations in the exploration of meanings of words in a language. Mainly, they are used for analysing the meanings of words in terms of their associations with each other within a sentence or phrase.

References of Lexical Semantics

Cruse, D. A., 2014. Prototype theory and lexical semantics. In: Meanings and Prototypes (RLE Linguistics B: Grammar). s.l.:Routledge, pp. 392-412.

Geeraerts, D., 2010. Theories of lexical semantics. s.l.:Oxford University Press.

Pustejovsky, J., 2012. Semantics and the Lexicon. s.l.:Springer Science & Business Media.