Semantic Theory

A Semantic Theory is a theoretical framework that can systematically describe meaning (in language, symbols, or formal systems to enable interpretation, communication, and understanding).

AKA: Theory of Meaning, Meaning Theory, Semantic Framework, Interpretive System.
Context:
- It can typically explain Semantic Content through formal representations and systematic rules that capture propositional content and referential connections.
- It can typically model Meaning Relation between linguistic expressions and world entities or mental states through correspondence rules or cognitive mappings.
- It can typically account for Semantic Property such as truth, reference, entailment, and ambiguity through logical structure and interpretive principles.
- It can typically provide Compositional Analysis of how complex expression meanings depend on component meanings and their structural arrangement.
- It can typically formalize Inference Pattern that preserve truth or semantic properties across reasoning steps.
- It can typically distinguish between Semantic Representation and Conceptual Representation in modeling language understanding.
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- It can often address Context Dependence through parameters for speaker, time, location, and other contextual factors that influence interpretation.
- It can often distinguish between Literal Meaning and Pragmatic Meaning based on context and communicative intention in discourse situations.
- It can often model Semantic Change through diachronic analysis and meaning evolution mechanisms across historical periods.
- It can often capture Cross-Linguistic Difference in meaning structure and semantic category through typological comparison and conceptual universals.
- It can often connect Meaning with cognitive processes or social practices through embodied cognition and cultural context.
- It can often distinguish between Speaker Meaning and Conventional Meaning in explaining communication dynamics.
- It can often formalize Vagueness and Gradience in natural language meaning through fuzzy logic or probability distributions.
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- It can range from being a Formal Semantic Theory to being a Cognitive Semantic Theory, depending on its theoretical foundation and explanatory goals.
- It can range from being a Denotational Semantic Theory to being a Conceptual Semantic Theory, depending on its meaning representation and interpretive mechanisms.
- It can range from being a Truth-Conditional Semantic Theory to being a Use-Based Semantic Theory, depending on its meaning criterion and verification method.
- It can range from being a Sentence-Level Semantic Theory to being a Discourse-Level Semantic Theory, depending on its analytical scope and cohesion modeling.
- It can range from being a Static Semantic Theory to being a Dynamic Semantic Theory, depending on its treatment of context and meaning update.
- It can range from being a Monolithic Semantic Theory to being a Modular Semantic Theory, depending on its architectural design and component integration.
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- It can serve Theoretical Objectives including meaning explanation, language understanding, semantic competence modeling, and interpretive system design.
- It can employ Analytical Tools such as logical form, model theory, conceptual structure, frame semantics, and truth-conditional semantics.
- It can integrate with Related Disciplines including syntax, pragmatics, cognitive science, philosophy of language, and artificial intelligence.
- It can address Semantic Phenomenon including reference resolution, quantifier scope, presupposition projection, metonymy, and metaphor interpretation.
- It can identify Meaning Construction Processes including semantic composition, pragmatic enrichment, coercion, and accommodation.
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Examples:
- Semantic Theory Approach Categories, such as:
  - Formal Semantic Theorys, such as:
    - Montague Semantics for intensional logic analysis and systematic composition.
    - Possible World Semantics for modal expression interpretation and counterfactual reasoning.
    - Situation Semantics for partial information modeling and context representation.
    - Discourse Representation Theory for anaphora resolution and temporal reference.
    - Type-Theoretic Semantics for semantic type system and functional composition.
    - Two-Dimensional Semantics for epistemic modality and necessary a posteriori truth.
  - Cognitive Semantic Theorys, such as:
    - Prototype Theory for category structure explanation and gradience modeling.
    - Conceptual Metaphor Theory for metaphorical meaning analysis and embodied abstraction.
    - Frame Semantics for encyclopedic knowledge integration and meaning contextualization.
    - Mental Space Theory for conceptual integration modeling and blended meaning.
    - Conceptual Semantics for lexical decomposition and thematic role assignment.
    - Embodied Construction Grammar for sensorimotor grounding and schematic integration.
  - Computational Semantic Theorys, such as:
    - Distributional Semantics for word meaning vector representation and similarity computation.
    - Compositional Distributional Semantics for phrase meaning computation and vector composition.
    - Lexical Semantics for word sense representation and polysemy modeling.
    - Ontology-Based Semantics for knowledge representation and conceptual hierarchy.
    - Neural Semantic Theory for representation learning and semantic embedding.
    - Probabilistic Semantics for uncertainty representation and bayesian interpretation.
- Semantic Theory Domain Categories, such as:
  - Natural Language Semantic Theorys, such as:
  - Formal System Semantic Theorys, such as:
    - Programming Language Semantics for code meaning specification and execution prediction.
    - Modal Logic Semantics for possibility expression interpretation and accessibility relation.
    - Probabilistic Semantics for uncertainty representation and belief modeling.
    - Category Theory Semantics for algebraic structure mapping and morphism interpretation.
    - Process Semantics for concurrent system modeling and state transition.
    - Game Semantics for interactive computation interpretation and strategic behavior.
  - Applied Semantic Theorys, such as:
    - Educational Semantic Theory for knowledge representation and conceptual learning.
    - Clinical Semantic Theory for patient communication analysis and diagnostic reasoning.
    - Legal Semantic Theory for statutory interpretation and precedent formalization.
    - Media Semantic Theory for messaging analysis and framing effect.
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Counter-Examples:
- Syntactic Theorys, which focus on grammatical structure rather than meaning and interpretation.
- Pragmatic Theorys, which address language use rather than literal meaning and semantic content.
- Phonological Theorys, which study sound patterns rather than semantic content or meaning relations.
- Etymological Analysis, which traces word history rather than systematic meaning or interpretive principles.
- Statistical Language Models, which capture distributional patterns without semantic interpretation or meaning explanation.
- Rhetorical Theorys, which analyze persuasive effect rather than truth conditions or referential content.
- Narrative Theorys, which examine story structure rather than propositional content or semantic composition.
See: Compositionality, Reference, Truth Condition, Lexical Semantics, Formal Semantics, Meaning, Interpretation, Model Theory, Denotation, Connotation, Semantic Network, Conceptual Structure.