Seme (semantics)

The term Sem (Greek sema, "sign"; French sème; seme engl. ) Is a technical term of the linguistic semantics. In its primary meaning it denotes the smallest elements ( components, component ) of the meaning of words or lexemes.

Seme as the smallest significance constituents ( major importance )

The concept of Shem based on the assumption that one can describe the meaning of words ( lexemes ) as a combination of Semen. This association of Semen in a word is called sememe. Each word has a combination of Semen, which distinguishes it in at least one of these Seme of other words. Regarding the word "mother" includes, for example the Seme. [ human ], [ adult ], [ Female], [ child has ], etc. These Seme can also be used to describe the meaning of other words, the Sem [ Female] as part of the meaning of " Queen ", " daughter," but also of " Lioness ". The totality of the Seme but applies only to the sememe "mother" to.

The term Sem goes back to the French linguist Algirdas Julien Greimas (Lithuania ) and Bernard Pottier. The concept of Shem corresponds to the term used in the component analysis semantic feature.

The following example for the analysis of a section of the word field seating comes from Pottier ( [ frz.1965 ] 1978: 404):

Are the Seme of this little word field " to sit ", " On feet " etc.. The " " and "- " indicate whether the respective Sem apply for that lexeme or not. The amount of the Seme of a word makes his sememe so its importance. In this way, all the Word fields using always the same Seme can be presented systematically.

Connotations

Distinktives Sem

Partial deemed Seme only those ( in the broad sense of the main meaning), within a paradigm ( semantic field ) have a distinctive function, while the all common feature is called Noem.

Set analog character

Luis Prieto J. (1966 ) called Shem " a special character whose signified not correspond to a character, but a statement of the language."

In addition, Shem is also available for texts.