What is a semantic domain?Semantic domain is an aggregate of words, all

sharing a core meaning related to a specific topic.

Words within a domain are united by similarities

and contrasts.

Examples:

Person

- Human being,Individual,Man,Person

Rain

- Rain,Drizzle,Downpour,Raindrop,Hail Puddle

The number of distinctions made within a domain reflects the degree of cultural interest.

Example:

Rice (Japanese) Ine - rice growing in the field

momi - rice with the husk still on

genmai- unpolished (brown)rice

kome - uncooked white rice (e.g., at the store)

shinmai - rice harvested this year

komai - rice harvested last year

gohan- steamed glutinous rice

okayu - rice gruel

okoge - scorched rice

Rice

Palay

Bugas

Kan-on

Lugaw

Dukot

Sinangag

Examples:

Cyclone

Storm

Hurricane

Cyclone

Bagyo

Storm

Typhoon

Rain

Ulan

Taligsik

Habo-habo

Lim-aw

Rain

Rain

Drizzle

Downpour

Raindrops

Puddle

Hail

Cultural interest is not static but, rather, changes over time as new items and practices are introduced...Speakers create new words or extend the meaning of existing words to include new items. In some cases, innovations replace indigenous objects, resulting in changes in meaning or functions of native words.

Examples: Huastec (Mexico)

Precontact: bicim “deer”Contemporary: bicim “horse”

tenek bicim “deer” (lit. native horse)Filipino

baboy “boar” baboy “pig” baboy ramo “wild boar”

investigating the relationships among words in a speaker’s mind

efficiently collect the words of a language.

classifying dictionaries

investigating the meanings of words

facilitating internet searches

How are semantic domains used?

Samovar, L. et.al. Communication Between Cultures. 7th edition (United States, 2010,2007)

Semantic Domains http://semdom.org/development

Sources:

Questions?

Answer the following items.

1.Aural, hear, wax, peirce. These words are related domains of what organ?

2. What common word refers to going to someone's place to see them?

3.Enraged, furious, furiously, incensed, infuriated, irate. These words are related domains of what emotion?

4. Animate, breathing, survive, cycle, action, living,eternal. These words are related domains of what condition?

5.What common word indicates that something is directly above it?

Quiz:

1.What common word indicates that someone is unknown?

2.Clock, history, watch,chronology.These words are related domains of what continuum?

3.This word refers to the process of determining the truth of something and a related domain of examine.

(This word will be formed if all the initial letters of your answers from items 1 to 7 are correct.)

1.This refers to a category of words united by similarities and contrasts?

2.Give at least one use of what is asked for in the pevious item.

Answers :

1. Ear

2. Visit (meeting could be considered)

3. Anger

4. Life/live/living

5. Under (beneath could be considered)

6. Anonymous

7. Time

8. Evaluate

9. Semanntic domain

10. (answers are on SLIDE 6 )