What are the key features of semantics? Explain conceptual and associative meanings.

or awesome slang Light can mean not heavy or bright depending on the context Ambiguity Some words or sentences have multiple meanings For example Bank can mean a riverbank or a place to save money Bat can mean a cricket bat or an animal Synonyms amp Antonyms Synonyms are words with the same meaning e g big and large Antonyms are words with opposite meanings e g hot vs cold Relationships Between Words Semantics looks at how words connect For example Dog is a type of animal category relationship Conceptual and Associative MeaningSemantics includes different types of meanings Two important types are conceptual meaning and associative meaning Conceptual Meaning Literal Meaning Conceptual meaning is the basic dictionary meaning of a word It is the same for everyone and does not depend on emotions or personal experiences It follows rules of grammar and logic Examples of Conceptual Meaning Dog means a four-legged animal that barks Water means a clear liquid that we drink Tree means a tall plant with leaves and branches Conceptual meaning is important because it helps us understand words clearly in any situation Associative Meaning Emotional or Related Meaning Associative meaning is not fixed and depends on personal feelings culture and experiences Different people may have different associations with the same word Examples of Associative Meaning Home Conceptual meaning A place where someone lives Associative meaning For some home feels warm and safe For others it might remind them of arguments or sadness Snake Conceptual meaning A long legless reptile Associative meaning In Western cultures snakes might symbolize danger or evil In Hinduism snakes can represent wisdom or rebirth Red Conceptual meaning A color Associative meaning Love e g red roses or danger e g stop signs Importance Understanding conceptual and associative meanings is important It helps us express ourselves better and avoid misunderstanding For instance slim and skinny both mean thin conceptual meaning However slim has a positive associative meaning healthy while skinny can sound negative too thin Vintage and Old both mean not new conceptual meaning However vintage has a positive associative meaning cool and classic while old can sound negative worn-out To wrap up Semantics is the study of meaning in language It helps us understand how words sentences and contexts create different meanings Two important types of meaning are conceptual meaning fixed dictionary meaning and associative meaning personal and emotional meaning Conceptual meaning stays the same for everyone while associative meaning can change based on culture feelings and situations Understanding these meanings helps people communicate better and avoid confusion in language