Brief Introduction Semantics as Linguistics Branches

The Term  of Semantics
Semantics is the study of MEANING in LANGUAGE. In the PAST, semantic debate has been largely concerned with discovering what ‘meaning’ is, as a concept in its own right. meanwhile, In modern linguistics, meaning is studied by making detailed analyses of the way words and sentences are used in specific contexts.

The Meanings of Meaning
John means to write ==> means   ‘intends’
A green light means go ===> means ‘indicates’
Health means everything ==> means ‘has importance’
His look was full of meaning ==> means ‘special import’
What is the meaning of life?  ==> means ‘point, purpose’
What does ‘capitalist’ mean to you? ==> means ‘convey’
What does ‘cornea’ mean? ==> means‘refer to in the world’

In Semantics Study it's well known with Three Conceptions of Meaning

Words  ===> things
Words  ===>  concepts ===> things
Stimuli ===> words ===> responses

And now it's to discuss about Words ===> Things

• Words ‘name’ or ‘refer to’ things.
• Proper names like London, Bill, Daddy and other words and phrases.
• But what about verbs, adjectives, abstract nouns?
• In fact, the majority of words seem unable to be related to things, in any clear way.

Meanwhile for Words ===> Concepts ===> Things is described as follow

This view denies a direct link between words and things, arguing that the relationship can be made only through the use of our minds. 

Stimuli ==> Words ==> Responses
According to Leonard Bloomfield: Meaning is something that can be deduced solely from a study of the situation in which speech is used – the stimulus (S) that led someone to speak (r), and the response (R) that resulted from this speech (s). as described follow:

                                                   

                                                S-------> r ------- s ----------> R