Semantic domain
Encyclopedia
Semantics
is a term that refers to how meaning is assigned in language (Oxford, 1989). A domain
is essentially a specific place or territory (Oxford, 1989). A semantic domain is a specific place that shares a set of meanings, or a language that holds its meaning, within the given context of the place. Harriet Ottenheimer (2006), a writer in Linguistic Anthropology
, defines a semantic domain as a “specific area of cultural emphasis” (p. 18).
In the social sciences
, the concept of semantic domains stemmed from the ideas of cognitive anthropology
. The quest was originally to see how the words that groups of humans use to describe certain things are relative to the underlying perceptions and meanings that those groups share (Ottenheimer, 2006, p. 18). Ethnosemantics became the field that concentrated around the study of these semantic domains, and more specifically the study of how categorization and context of words and groups of words reflected the ways that different cultures categorize words into speech and assign meaning to their language (Ottenheimer, 2006, p. 18).
there are many words that are specific to the sport. Free throw
, court
, half court
, three pointer, and point guard
are all terms that are specific to the sport of basketball. These words make very little sense when used outside of the semantic domain of basketball.
Another example of a semantic domain would be a coffee shop
. The words latte
, cappucino, or Starbucks
probably would not be understood unless one could associate this language with the semantic domain of a coffee shop.
Rusch, C.D., (2004). Cross-cultural variability of the semantic domain of emotion terms : an examination of English shame and embarrass with Japanese hazukashii. Cross-cultural research. Link
Wilbur, R.B., (1999). The Semantic Domain of Classifiers in American Sign Language. Language and Speech, v42 n2-3 p229-50. http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ313945&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=eric_accno&accno=EJ313945|Link
Semantics
Semantics is the study of meaning. It focuses on the relation between signifiers, such as words, phrases, signs and symbols, and what they stand for, their denotata....
is a term that refers to how meaning is assigned in language (Oxford, 1989). A domain
Political division
A political division is a term of art of geography defining the concept of a geographic region accepted to be in the jurisdiction of a particular government entity...
is essentially a specific place or territory (Oxford, 1989). A semantic domain is a specific place that shares a set of meanings, or a language that holds its meaning, within the given context of the place. Harriet Ottenheimer (2006), a writer in Linguistic Anthropology
Linguistic anthropology
Linguistic anthropology is the interdisciplinary study of how language influences social life. It is a branch of anthropology that originated from the endeavor to document endangered languages, and has grown over the past 100 years to encompass almost any aspect of language structure and...
, defines a semantic domain as a “specific area of cultural emphasis” (p. 18).
In the social sciences
Social sciences
Social science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
, the concept of semantic domains stemmed from the ideas of cognitive anthropology
Cognitive anthropology
Cognitive anthropology is an approach within cultural anthropology in which scholars seek to explain patterns of shared knowledge, cultural innovation, and transmission over time and space using the methods and theories of the cognitive sciences often through close collaboration with historians,...
. The quest was originally to see how the words that groups of humans use to describe certain things are relative to the underlying perceptions and meanings that those groups share (Ottenheimer, 2006, p. 18). Ethnosemantics became the field that concentrated around the study of these semantic domains, and more specifically the study of how categorization and context of words and groups of words reflected the ways that different cultures categorize words into speech and assign meaning to their language (Ottenheimer, 2006, p. 18).
Examples
Many sports have specific semantic domains that entail terminology that is specific to that particular sport. In order to understand the meanings of these terms one would need to understand the context and domain of that sport. For instance, in basketballBasketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
there are many words that are specific to the sport. Free throw
Free throw
In basketball, free throws or foul shots are unopposed attempts to score points from a restricted area on the court , and are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team...
, court
Basketball court
In basketball, the basketball court is the playing surface, consisting of a rectangular floor with tiles at either end. In professional or organized basketball, especially when played indoors, it is usually made out of a wood, often maple, and highly polished...
, half court
Half court
Half court is a term used in basketball for a shot taken from half court . It is most commonly used as a buzzer beater...
, three pointer, and point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
are all terms that are specific to the sport of basketball. These words make very little sense when used outside of the semantic domain of basketball.
Another example of a semantic domain would be a coffee shop
Café
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
. The words latte
Latte
A latte is a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk. Variants include replacing the coffee with another drink base such as masala chai, mate or matcha...
, cappucino, or Starbucks
Starbucks
Starbucks Corporation is an international coffee and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 17,009 stores in 55 countries, including over 11,000 in the United States, over 1,000 in Canada, over 700 in the United Kingdom, and...
probably would not be understood unless one could associate this language with the semantic domain of a coffee shop.
Other Articles and Research Related to Semantic Domains
Gugeon, J.A., Linde, C., (1980). On The Independence of Discourse Structure and Semantic Domain. {ACL} Proceedings, 18th Annual Meeting, 35-37. LinkRusch, C.D., (2004). Cross-cultural variability of the semantic domain of emotion terms : an examination of English shame and embarrass with Japanese hazukashii. Cross-cultural research. Link
Wilbur, R.B., (1999). The Semantic Domain of Classifiers in American Sign Language. Language and Speech, v42 n2-3 p229-50. http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ313945&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=eric_accno&accno=EJ313945|Link