The relationship between Semantics and teaching vocabulary

Semantics

Jenny Flores Escobar

A model of adult L2 Vocabulary acquisition

It is based on a characterization of the unique learning conditions adult L2 learners face.

Adults already possess a well-established conceptual and lexical system.

Adult L2 vocabulary acquisition is accompanied by little conceptual or semantic development.

Three-stage model of adult vocabulary acquisition

Word association

stageThe use of L2 word

relies on and is mediated by their L1

transtation.

L1 Lemma Mediation

stage

Help develop new, L2-specific meanings and

L2 lemma may contain both L1 and

L2 specification

Full integration

Stage

L2 word can be used with not only more

automaticity, but also more idiomaticity, with little influence

form its L2 translation

The semantic transfer Hypothesis

Empirical investigation for at least two reasons:

- Form-meaning mapping that has remained the focus of attention in the study of child vocabulary acquisition.

- The semantic transfer clain represents a view of form-meaning mappling that is often in contrast to the assumption held by many L2 researchers.

Semantic relations

Active relation A semantic relation between two concepts

AntonymyThe opposite of a word. Ex: cold vs warm

Associative relationA relation which is defined psychologically

Causal relationSomething is the cause of other somethingExample: scurvy is caused by lack of vitamin C

Homonym Two concepts are expressed by the same symbol. Example: both a financial institution and a edge of a river are expressed by the word bank which has two senses

Hyponymous relationship It is a generic relation

Instance-of relation Designates the semantic relations between a general concept and individual instances of that concept

Locative relation A semantic relation in which a concept indicates a location of a thing designated by another concept.

Meronymy, partitive relation A relationship between the whole and it parts

Passive relation A semantic relation between two concepts, one of which is affected by or subjected to an operation or process expressed by the other.

Paradigmatic relationA semantic relation between two concepts, that is considered to be either fixed by nature, self-evident, or established by convention. PolysemyA polysemous word is a word that has severañ sub-senses which are related with one another

PossessiveA relation between a possessor and what is possessed

Related termA term that is semantically related to another term.

SynonymySome word denotes the same as other word

Temporal relation A semantic relation in which a concept indicates a time or period of an event designated by another concept

TroponymyIt is the semantic relation of being a manner of does something

Conclusion Semantics has relation with the

teaching vocabulary because it is the study of meaning and for understanding vocabulary, we need to know the meaning of the words.

References Paper attached http://www.iva.dk/bh/lifeboat_ko/CONC

EPTS/semantic_relations.htm Meaning and discourse