Semantic feature

Semantic features are the smallest units ( components) of the meaning of a lexeme / a word or morpheme. This is based on the idea that you can break down the meaning of a word in meaning components that can be used in describing the importance of other words. Thus, the words "Queen " and " lioness " the semantic feature [ female ] have in common.

The term semantic feature is a technical term in linguistics, more precisely, their sub-discipline of semantics and was initially developed in the structural semantics.

As Seme semantic features are obtained by component analysis.

It can also paradigm overarching general characteristics ( Klasseme ) are obtained by abstraction.

Synonyms are " content component ", " semantic component ", " semantic constituent "; " Content figure" ( Hjelmslev ) or " figurae " ( Hjelmslev ), " Noem " and " term feature ". In English it is called " semantic markers "; " marker " or " semantic feature"; in French by " trait sémantique " or " trait sémantiquement pertinent ".

Justification of the term

The term semantic feature was obtained analogously to the expression of the phonetic feature of structuralist phonology. "In the phonology has the feature has its origin in the concept of privative ( exclusive ) opposition, ...". The phonologically - structuralist origin means that semantic features are interpreted as binary, which is criticized.

Use of semantic features

Semantic features are the semantic structure analysis:

On the status of the semantic features

The dispute over the ontological status of semantic features is ultimately a universals.

This dispute has its parallel " cross-culturally comparable classifications in onomasiological perspective as a non- individual linguistic elements of a conceptual system, as interlingual Noeme, or conceptual components " are to be considered in the argument about whether and to what extent a bond consists of only a single linguistic lexical or semantic features.

In the latter case - represented a so-called Universalismusthese, which is summarized ( in its extreme form ) as follows - among others. It should apply:

" A) that there is a fixed set of semantic features that are lexicalized in all languages ​​;

B ) that the formal principles due to which combination of features meanings are constituted, are universal;

C ) that all the lexical units of all languages ​​completely in such features are resolvable "

Criticism

The criticism of the theory of semantic features is directed against a (not mandatory for them) idea that semantic features " static, context-and variation -free".

With respect to such criticism, the theory of semantic features, however, as for the semantics of "required" applies.

Features in the philosophy of science

Features are divided into the philosophy of science in significant or insignificant features, wherein said scheduling reason usually except logical in nature, that is justified by special term analyzes. A key feature is called sometimes a necessary feature, an insignificant feature then a akzidentielles or accidental. A feature called characteristic or characteristic when it determines its term is necessary ( for example, " wet " for " water").

A distinguishing feature ( differentia specifica ) borders a term against other (see also: definition).

Objects fall under a concept by having its feature / s to property / s.