types of meanings in the language. The second is philosophical approach. Philosophers have investigated the relation between linguistics expression, such as
the words of language and person, things and events in the world to which these words refer.
Although there may be different approaches to semantics, these three basic terms seem to be widely mentioned in each of these approaches, i.e. meaning,
varieties of meaning, and sense and reference.
2.2.1 Meaning
Semantics is generally defined as the study of meaning and this is the definition that we will provisionally adopt. The principal of semantics is what is to
be understood by ‘meaning’. It has been customary for semanticists to emphasize the fact that the noun ‘meaning’ and the verb to ‘mean’ themselves have many
distinguishable meanings. Some idea of the range of their meanings may be obtained from a consideration of the following sentences :
1 What is the meaning of ‘philosophy’ ?
The word meaning as a noun in this sentence. According to the circumstances in which this question is asked, the kind of word philosophy is and the context in
which it is being employed. We should expect the answer to this question to differ, not only in detail, but even in general type.
2 Dark clouds mean rain
Certain of the meanings can be distinguished by the technique of substituting other words in the same context and enquiring whether the resulting sentences are
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equivalent. The verb mean in sentence above can be substituted with sign without changing the total meaning of the sentence.
3 He means well, but rather clumsy
4 My father rarely means what he says
The notion of intention seems to be relevant also to our understanding of both sentences above, though each use of verb mean here appears to be somewhat
different from the others and the substitution of intend for mean might be held to effect some change in the meaning of the sentences. If the sentence 3 implies
that he is well-intentioned, that he intends no harm but just a little bit nervous, the sentence 4 implies that the father has no intends to say something clearly.
From examples above we can see the variation meaning of meaning. C.K.Ogden and I.A.Richards in their book “The Meanings of Meaning” which is
quoted by Crystal 1987:100 introduces some meanings of meaning. They are constructed in some sentences :
5 Maya means to go now. Means: intends
6 A red light means stop. Means: indicates
7 You mean everything to me. Means: has important
8 His face is look of meaning. Meaning: special import
9 What is the meaning of being your wife ? Meaning: point, purpose
2.2.2 The Varieties of Meaning
