Semantics

Multiple Choice

There was a storm in Parliament last night.

• A storm is a metaphor which means a heated argument, a bitter disagreement or a terrible conflict.

• A storm is a metaphor that means a heated argument, a bitter disagreement or a terrible conflict.

• a heated argument, a bitter disagreement or a terrible conflict.

• A storm is a metaphor which means a heated argument

Multiple Choice

I’m afraid he has misrepresented the facts.

• He is the facts is a euphemism which means he has lied or he has told lies.

• He has misrepresented the facts which means he has lied or he has told lies.

• He has misrepresented the facts is a euphemism which means he has lied or he has told lies

• He has the facts is a euphemism which means he has lied or he has told lies.

Multiple Choice

He worked and worked until he breathed his last.

• Breathed which means died.

• Breathed is a euphemism which means died.

• Breathed is a euphemism which means died.

• Breathed his last is a euphemism which means died.

Multiple Choice

We’ll just have to go our separate ways.

 

• Go our separate way is a metaphor which implie that life is a journey.

• Go our which implies that life is a journey.

• Go our separate ways is a metaphor which implies that life is a journey.

• Go our separate is a metaphor that implies that life is a journey.

Multiple Choice

They were vital, unforgettable matches that gave us a new window on the game.

A new window on the game is a metaphor meaning a new understanding of the game.

• a new window on the game is a metaphor meaning a new understanding of the game.

• new window on the game is a metaphor meaning a new understanding of the game.

• new window on the game is a metaphor meaning of the game.

• new window on the game meaning a new understanding of the game.

Multiple Choice

I’ve told you a thousand times not to touch that again.

• A thousand times is an overstatement/a hyperbole which means more than one time.

• A thousand times which means more than one time.

• A thousand times which means more than more time.

• A thousand times is an overstatement/a hyperbole which means more than more time.

Multiple Choice

He is as mute as a fish.

• He is as mute as a fish is a simile which means he rarely speaks or he is quiet.

• He is a fish is a simile which means he rarely speaks or he is quiet.

• He is as mute as a fish which means he rarely speaks or he is quiet.

• He is as mute as a fish is a simile which means he rarely speaks

Multiple Choice

We stopped to drink in the beautiful scenery.

• Drink in is a metaphor which means enjoy or admire. In other words the beautiful scenery is implicitly compared to a delicious drink.

• Drink in is a metaphor which means enjoy or admire. words the beautiful scenery is implicitly compared to a delicious drink.

• Drink in is a metaphor that means enjoy or admire. In other words the beautiful scenery is implicitly compared to a delicious drink.

• Drink-in is a metaphor that means or admire. In other words the beautiful scenery is implicitly compared to a delicious drink.

Multiple Choice

His words can be trusted.

• His words stands for/substitutes for that person himself. This is a metonymy. The whole sentence means you can trust him.

• His words stands for/substitutes for that person himself. This is a metonymy.

• His words stands for/substitute for that person himself. This is a metonymy. The whole sentence means you can trust him.

• His words stands for/substitute This is a metonymy. The whole sentence means you can trust him.

Multiple Choice

The police team has cemented close ties with the hospital staff.

 

• A - Cemented in this context is a metaphor which means firmly established or strengthened. The whole sentence means close connections have been established between the police team and the hospital staff.

• B- Cemented literally means joined (the police team and the hospital staff) together as with cement.

• A & B

• C- Cemented literally means joined together as with cement.The whole sentence means close connections have been established

• A & C

​SEMANTICS OF ENGLISH (SemEng)

Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies

Course Description

This 3-unit course introduces students to the principles of modern linguistic semantics and explains how languages organize and express meaning through words, parts of words, sentences and discourse. The aim is to span the gap between semantic theory and practice by getting students to think for themselves and to develop strong practical skills with confidence and conviction. Students learn semantics by working with real data. Topics include: semantic field theory, lexical relations, mental representations, truth conditional semantics, thematic role theory, context and inference speech act theory, situation types, and modality and evidentiality. Emphasis is on sentence semantics with extensive exercises on thematic roles and situation types using semantic categories such as situation types, tense, aspect, and voice.​

SemEng | 1st Sem. 2022-2023

Semantics of English

Module 1: Thematic Relations

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Learning Competencies​

• Identify the types of semantic analysis.

• Determine the different semantic roles the words fulfill in different situations.

• Explain the roles the words fulfill within the situation described by a sentence.​

Module 2: Ambiguity and Vagueness

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Learning Competencies

• Identify the types of ambiguity and vagueness.

• Explain how words or propositions become ambiguous and vague.

• Differentiate the concepts underlying ambiguity and vagueness.

Module 3: Presupposition and Entailment

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Learning Competencies​

• Illustrate the basic machinery of presupposition.

• Describe the aspects of what is communicated but not said.

Module 4: Predicates of Language

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Learning competencies

• Differentiate the ideas and concepts between predicator and predicate.

Module 5: Predicate Logic

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Learning Competencies

• Explain the internal structure of a simple proposition

• Illustrate the basic formalism of predicate logic

• Discuss the principles of q​