Introduction to
Semantics
Linguistic Analysis
John Liang, NYU Shanghai
Meaning
Conceptual Associative Meaning
Meaning (connotation)
(denotation)
the associations,
the literal feelings, or attitudes
meaning of a the listener or
given word reader attaches to
the word
Activity 1
Semantic Features (also semantic components, semantic properties)
● a basic unit of meaning in a lexical item
● an intention, inherent sense, or concept expressed
Question: What is going on in the
picture?
(1) A dog is watching TV.
(2) The dog presses the remote to
switch between channels.
Semantic Features (also semantic components, semantic properties)
● a basic unit of meaning in a lexical item
● an intention, inherent sense, or concept expressed
Question: What seems to have gone
wrong? Subject: Object:
inanimate? Animate?
(1) TV is watching a dog.
(2) The remote presses the dog to
switch between channels.
Semantic Features (also semantic components, semantic properties)
● Plus (“+”) or minus (“-”) symbols used to analyze semantic features
1. Animate/Inanimate: living being or 6. Physical Properties: related to size,
non-living object. shape, color, texture, etc.
2. Gender: masculine, feminine, neuter 7. Temporal: related to time (e.g., past,
(e.g., “boy” vs. “girl” vs. “everyone”) present, future)
3. Number: Singular or plural form (e.g., 8. Spatial: related to location, direction,
“cat” vs. “cats”). and movement
4. Countable/Uncountable: can be 9. Abstract/Concrete: tangible,
counted (e.g., “apples”) or not (e.g., concrete objects or abstract
“water”) ideas/concepts
5. Human/Non-human: pertaining to 10. Part-Whole Relationship: a whole
Semantic Features
Activity 3: Analyze the semantic features of the following words using the “+” or “-” symbol. To test
the semantic features of the words, feel free to make sentences to find out if a given word can be
used to express more than one semantic feature.
experience fish shrimp chicken friendship later
animate
human
number
countable
abstract
spatial
temporal
Activity 2
Semantic Roles
Where syntax intersects with semantics
Agent Patient (Theme) Instrument
Subject Verb Object
Subject Adverb of Manner
Subject
Noun Phrase Verb Noun Phrase Prep + Noun Phrase
The boy damaged the wall with a rock.
The wind damaged the wall.
Semantic Roles
Where syntax intersects with semantics
Patient (Theme) Agent Instrument
Subject Verb Adverb of Agency
Subject Adverb of Manner
Subject
Noun Phrase Verb Prep Noun Phrase Prep + Noun Phrase
The wall was damaged by the boy with a rock.
The wall was damaged by the wind.
Semantic Roles
Where syntax intersects with semantics
Agent Patient (Theme)
Subject Verb Object
Subject
Subject
Noun Phrase Verb Noun Phrase
The teacher changed the schedule.
The boy broke the vase.
Semantic Roles
Where syntax intersects with semantics
Patient (Theme) Agent
Subject Verb Subject
Subject
Noun Phrase Verb Prep Noun Phrase
The schedule was changed by the teacher.
The vase was broken by the boy.
Semantic Roles
Where syntax intersects with semantics
Patient (Theme)
Subject Verb
Subject
Noun Phrase Verb
The schedule changed.
The vase broke.
Activity 3
Semantic Roles
Where syntax intersects with semantics
Experiencer Time
Subject Linking Verb SubjectSubject
Complement Adverb of Time
Subject
Noun Phrase Linking Verb Adjective / Noun Phrase Noun Phrase
The boy felt sad last night.
The boy is my brother.
Semantic Roles
Where syntax intersects with semantics
Experiencer Patient (Theme) Location
Subject Verb Object
Subject Adverb of Place
Subject
Noun Phrase Sensory Verb Noun Phrase Prep + Noun Phrase
The girl heard a strange noise in the room.
Semantic Roles
Where syntax intersects with semantics
Agent Patient (Theme) Recipient (Goal)
Subject Verb Direct Object Indirect Object
Subject
Subject
Noun Phrase Dative Verb Noun Phrase Preposition Pronoun
The girl gave a book to me.
Semantic Roles
Where syntax intersects with semantics
Agent Recipient (Goal) Patient (Theme) Time
Subject Verb Indirect Object Direct Object
Subject Adverb of Time
Subject
Noun Phrase Dative Verb Pronoun Noun Phrase Prep + Noun Phrase
The girl gave me a book yesterday.
Semantic Roles
Where syntax intersects with semantics
Agent Patient (Theme) Beneficiary
Subject Verb Direct Object Indirect Object
Subject
Subject
Noun Phrase Benefactive Verb Noun Phrase Preposition Pronoun
The girl bought a book for me.
Semantic Roles
Activity 4
Where syntax intersects with semantics
Agent Beneficiary Patient (Theme) Time
Subject Verb Indirect Object Direct Object
Subject Adverb of Time
Subject
Noun Phrase Benefactive Verb Pronoun Noun Phrase Prep + Noun Phrase
The girl bought me a book yesterday.
Lexical Relations
● Synonym ● Homophones
● Antonym ● Homonyms
● Hyponym ● Polysemy
● Hypernym ● Metonymy
Activity 5
Collocations
Activity 6
1. What adverbs are used to modify “beautiful”?
2. What nouns are used following “beautiful” vs. “pretty”?
3. What particles are used with the verb “make,” “run,”
“take,” and “go”?
4. What adverbs are often used to modify the main verb
“consider?”
5. Share with your classmates a set of words or phrases that
often work with one particular word or phrase.
Reflection & Conclusion
Jot down two new insights you have gained and one
possible topic you would love to explore further if
you had time. No need to indicate your name.
Activity 7