Semantic vs Syntactic: Understanding the Differences

Key Takeaways

• Semantic focuses on the meaning of words, while syntactic focuses on the arrangement of words and phrases when forming a sentence.
• Both semantic and syntactic are important rules in linguistics, as they ensure effective communication and comprehension.
• There is a specific field of study called semantics that studies the meaning of words, while the concept of syntax emerges in fields such as linguistics and mathematics.

Difference Between Semantic and Syntactic

Semantic and syntactic are two important rules in linguistics that need to be followed in order to communicate effectively. However, these two rules should not be considered interchangeable, as they refer to different components in language.

Understanding Semantic

Semantic is an adjective that can be loosely defined as “to do with meaning.” It emphasizes the significance of the meaning of words, phrases, and other linguistic elements. In linguistics, the semantic rule is highlighted, and there is a specific field of study known as semantics, which focuses on the meanings of words. The meanings of words play a crucial role in communication, and it is important to have specific definitions for words to avoid confusion.

For example, consider the phrase “you killed it.” In one context, this could mean that someone has killed an animal. In another context, such as a musical performance, it could mean that someone performed exceptionally well.

Understanding Syntactic

Syntactic can be defined as “to do with the arrangement of words and phrases when forming a sentence.” In linguistics, the syntactic rule is important because the arrangement of a sentence must be accurate in order to convey the intended meaning. If the arrangement is incorrect, the sentence may not communicate the desired meaning, even if the words are present.

To illustrate this, consider the following examples:
– Only John said he wants to write the first chapter.
– John said he only wants to write the first chapter.

Although the words in these sentences are identical, they convey two different meanings due to their different arrangements. In the first sentence, the emphasis is on the person who wants to complete the task, whereas in the second sentence, the emphasis is on the task itself.

Comparing Semantic and Syntactic

Here are the main differences between semantic and syntactic:

– Definition: Semantic refers to meaning, while syntactic refers to the arrangement of words and phrases when forming a sentence.
– Adjective: Both semantic and syntactic are adjectives.
– Focus: Semantic focuses on the meaning of words, while syntactic focuses on the arrangement of words.
– Field: Semantics is a specific field that studies the meaning of words, while the concept of syntax emerges in fields such as linguistics and mathematics.