SEMANTICS-2: Justifying and Locating Semantics within Linguistics

Summary

In this lecture, the importance of semantics in language is explored, focusing on how meaning is essential for proper communication. The speaker introduces the concepts of prescriptive and descriptive grammar, explaining how prescriptive grammar dictates what language 'should' be, while descriptive grammar describes how language is actually used. Using examples like 'can I go to the bathroom?' versus 'may I go?', the lecture highlights the differences between these approaches. The speaker also emphasizes the role of semantics in understanding both the uniqueness and commonalities across languages, contributing to our understanding of universal linguistic principles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Semantics is crucial in language as it gives meaning to words, sentences, and communication.
• 😀 Syntax alone doesn't ensure meaning—meaning (semantics) is necessary for a sentence to make sense.
• 😀 Chomsky's example 'colorless green ideas sleep furiously' demonstrates the need for semantics in grammar.
• 😀 Even though a sentence may be syntactically correct, it can still lack meaning if it violates real-world concepts (like animate vs. inanimate subjects).
• 😀 There are two types of grammar: prescriptive and descriptive, each with a different approach to language rules.
• 😀 Prescriptive grammar dictates what language 'should' look like according to formal rules and norms.
• 😀 Descriptive grammar observes how language is actually used in practice, without judgment of correctness.
• 😀 A prescriptive grammar would find 'Can I go to the bathroom?' incorrect and insist on 'May I go to the bathroom?' based on permission vs. ability.
• 😀 Descriptive grammar would accept 'Can I go to the bathroom?' as correct since it reflects common usage among native speakers.
• 😀 Descriptive grammar acknowledges that all dialects, including non-standard ones, have systematic rules and are valid forms of language.
• 😀 Understanding both prescriptive and descriptive grammar is essential for studying semantics, as it helps explain the diversity and universality of languages.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of this lecture?

The primary focus of this lecture is the importance of semantics in language and the distinction between prescriptive and descriptive grammars.

Why is semantics important in language?

Semantics is important because it gives meaning to language. Without meaning, a sentence might be syntactically correct but still nonsensical, as illustrated by the sentence 'colorless green ideas sleep furiously.'

What does Noam Chomsky's sentence 'colorless green ideas sleep furiously' illustrate?

Chomsky's sentence illustrates that a sentence can be grammatically correct in terms of syntax and morphology but still lack meaning, showing that semantics is essential to language.

What are the three components of language discussed in the previous lecture?

The three components of language discussed are sound, form, and meaning.

What is the difference between prescriptive and descriptive grammar?

Prescriptive grammar prescribes how language should be used according to established rules, while descriptive grammar describes how language is actually used by speakers in real-world situations, including all dialects and variations.

What is an example of a prescriptive grammar rule versus a descriptive grammar observation?

A prescriptive grammar rule would insist that 'May I go to the bathroom?' is the correct form, while descriptive grammar would recognize 'Can I go to the bathroom?' as an acceptable usage since it reflects common spoken language.

How does prescriptive grammar contribute to social class distinctions?

Prescriptive grammar often reflects a 'standard' language, such as received pronunciation or Queen’s English, which can create a social class distinction by favoring speakers who adhere to these prescribed rules.

How does descriptive grammar view dialects and regional language variations?

Descriptive grammar accepts all dialects and regional variations as valid, understanding that each dialect has its own systematic rules and structures.

What role does semantics play in prescriptive vs descriptive grammar?

Semantics plays a crucial role in both prescriptive and descriptive grammar, but the approach differs. In prescriptive grammar, meaning is often fixed by formal rules, while in descriptive grammar, meaning evolves based on actual usage and how speakers use language in context.

What is the significance of studying languages from a descriptive grammar perspective in semantics?

Studying languages from a descriptive grammar perspective allows us to identify the universal properties shared across languages, providing insights into the cognitive and communicative aspects common to all human languages.