Question 1: Semantics and Pragmatics
1) A form of a language that differs according to the speakers, the circumstances in which it is
being used, and the purpose of communication.
Register (ENG1502, 501. Page 5; Mullany & Stockwell, 2010. Page 19)
2) A study that broadly refers to how meaning is constructed, interpreted, illustrated,
symbolised, imagined, concealed or disguised.
Semantics (ENG1502, 501. Page 10; Mullany & Stockwell, 2010. Page 10)
3) A situation where a word, phrase, sentence is open to more than one possible interpretation
or meaning.
Ambiguity (ENG1502, 501. Page 11; Mullany & Stockwell, 2010. Page 13)
4) When we speak we often use non-verbal signs such as body language, facial expressions and
gestures in order to express our intended message.
Non-Verbal Language or Paralinguistic Tools (ENG1502, 501. Page 11)
5) Something which is used to represent another thing – it might be a picture, a letter, or an
object.
Sign or Symbol (ENG1502, 501. Page 11)
6) Different words with similar meaning.
Synonyms (ENG1502, 501. Page 12; Mullany & Stockwell, 2010. Page 64)
7) Meaning of words is considered objective, neutral or without any emotional associations.
Denotation (ENG1502, 501. Page 13; Mullany & Stockwell, 2010. Page 64)
8) Meaning refers to the associations or feel which a word has rather than what it explicitly
denotes.
Connotation (ENG1502, 501. Page 13; Mullany & Stockwell, 2010. Page 64)
9) This is when the speaker says a sentence, uses words, or phrases to mean exactly and literally
what he says.
Literal Meaning (ENG1502, 501. Page 13; Mullany & Stockwell, 2010. Page 12)
10) When words are used in a non-literal way to compare one thing with another.
Metaphoric Meaning (ENG1502, 501. Page 13; Mullany & Stockwell, 2010. Page 66)