Problem in Principle of Compositionality 01

Semantics
ENG-263
Lecture 1d
“Problems in the Principle of Compositionality”
By : Muhammad Asif Khan

Lecturer Department of English
KUST
Course: Semantics ENG- 263-Instructor: Muhammad Asif Khan, Lecturer. Department of English,KUST—Email:arshiyan512@yahoo.com
Topic: a
Discussion Agenda
a
Topic:
The Problem of Circularity

• we discussed that there were four main problems that
the principle of compositionality cannot explain so far
– the first was the difference between sentence and speaker meaning
– The second was the problem of contextualized meaning
– the third was a problem of knowledge or the knowledge problem
• the one that talks about the difference between linguistic knowledge and
world knowledge
– the fourth was the problem of individual differences
• but guess what there's a fifth problem
– we still haven't talked about
• this problem is actually the most important problem and the biggest
problem that the principle of compositionality is facing
– this problem is called the problem of circularity
Topic:

• so let's discuss the problem of circularity
– take the word coffee again
• recall that the first problem and
– identify the meaning of the word coffee
» there are tons of individual differences
• like we said
• for me coffee might be
• Black, hot and bitter
• for you it might be
• Creamy, cold and sweet
and still
• for others it might be
• a mix of both it might be black, cold and sweet
Topic:

• so let's just take any one for now
– and take a definition of the word coffee
• we could say
– it is a hot drink from beans grown in Colombia
» that is black in color and bitter in taste
• so let's think about the best case scenario
– here that would be that the entire world agrees upon one thing
– which is one definition of the word coffee
• now that still wouldn't be enough
– because take a situation where we have a robot
» and we want to teach this robot the meaning of the word
coffee
Topic:

• so we can program this robot and say okay
– here's the word coffee and this word means
• a hot drink from beans grown in Colombia that is black in color and
bitter and taste
– a robot would say okay great but there's one little problem
– I still need you to define for me
• the meaning of A
• the meaning of hot
• the meaning of drink
• the meaning of from
– Beans, black, Colombia, bitter, taste
– all of this
Topic:

• so we say fine
– we give the robot the meaning of the word hot
• as it is in the dictionary
– we go and give them the meaning of the word
• drink
• from
• beans
• black
– all of this
– now the meaning of the word drink for example involves more words
• to which the robot would reply :define those words to
– so we end up in a circular situation
Topic:

– so we end up in a circular situation
• we want the definition of a word
– but the definition of a word is more words
» which also need their own definition
• this is a problem of circularity
– so we just talked about the fifth problem for the principle of compositionality
• and that was circularity
– What solution do we have for the problem of circularity?
• what if in defining the word coffee
– instead of defining it with words
» we defined it with code or numbers
– so we can assign the word coffee code 0110001
• like that we can assign the word gold another code
– which might involve a letter G 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1
» this way no two words would ever have the same exact meaning
Topic:

• this way no two words would ever have the same exact meaning
– and not only that we don't need to go back and also define the numbers
• now it's a bit more complex than that
– but for now this will do as an explanation for this class
• so why did we choose to define the word using code or numbers
– well because we want a language that would explain language
• but not be the same language
• you can't explain one thing with the same exact thing
– you need something else to use to explain the first thing
• so you need a language that is
– free from any individual differences
– free from any variable interpretation
• you don't want a language where each and every person would interpret it in their own
way
– this is why we come up with something called a meta-language
the use of code and numbers or algorithms is an example of a meta language
Topic:

• and now to sum up
– the principle of compositionality came as a solution to explaining
productivity
• The principle of compositionality alone suffered some problems
– the first was a difference to in sentence meaning and speaker meaning
– The second was a difference between contextualized meaning and normal
meaning
– then there was the knowledge problem
• Which was of two type: the linguistic Knowledge and world knowledge
– then there were the individual differences
– and the last problem was a problem of circularity when we came to define
works
• The solution we came up with for circularity was
– the use of a meta-language and
• that sums up the idea of productivity and the principle of compositionality
with all its problems
Topic:
Characteristics of Human Language and its relation to semantics

Language is Arbitrary
• Language is undoubtedly arbitrary
– as there is no inherent connection between the nature of things or concepts
• the speech deals with.
– However, those things and ideas are expressed,
• and there is no reason
– why different communities pronounce a ‘single term’ differently.
• A word was chosen to mean a specific thing or idea
– is arbitrary.
• It might be noticed that
– if a language had not been arbitrary,
» there would have been just a single language that remained
throughout the world.
• That is why we can consider language as an arbitrary vocal
symbol.
Topic:

Language is a Social Phenomenon
• In a sense, language should be considered a social phenomenon.
• Language is social in our human society;
– it is a means of nourishing and developing culture and establishing human
relations.
• As a member of a particular social group,
– we human beings interact with each other,
• allowing us to identify with one another
– and connect and coordinate with one another.
» This is how language is part and parcel of our society.
• Language exists in the public arena,
– is a method for feeding and creating a society,
• and sets up human relations.
• As a member of the community, we acquire a language permanently.
Topic:

Language Is A Symbolic System
• Language signifies a symbolic system,
– and it consists of different sound symbols
• for concepts, things, ideas, objects, etc.
– Language has sounds and words
» as their symbols.
• These symbols are picked and routinely acknowledged and utilized.
• The words in a language are not just patterns or images
– but symbols
• that denote meaning.
• The language uses words as symbols
– and not as signs for the concept represented by them.
• The core value of a language sometimes relies on
– the proper explanation of these symbols.
Topic:

Language Is Systematic
• Although the language is symbolic,
– its symbols are arranged in specific systems.
• All languages have their arrangement of plans,
– and each language is an arrangement of systems.
• Furthermore, all languages have phonological and syntactic systems,
– and within a system, there are also several sub-systems.
• For instance,
– we have the morphological and syntactic systems inside the linguistic system.
• Inside these two sub-systems,
– we have systems, such as plural, of mindset, or perspective, of tense,
etc.
Topic:

Language Is Vocal, Verbal And Sound
• Language is a system of vocal and verbal symbolism,
– and it is essentially comprised of vocal sounds
• just created by a physiological articulatory component in the human body.
• First and foremost, it shows up as vocal sounds only.
– Language takes verbal elements such as sounds, words, and phrases fixed up
in specific ways to make several sentences.
• Language is vocal and sound, which is produced by different speech organs.
• Writing can be considered as an intelligent platform to represent vocal sounds, and
it is the graphic representation of the speech sounds of the language.
Topic:

Language is Non-Instinctive (natural), Conventional
• No language was made in multi-day out of a commonly settled upon recipe
– by a gathering of people.
• Language is the result of advancement and tradition,
– and every age transmits this tradition onto the following.
• Like every human organization,
– languages may also change and pass on, develop and extend.
• Each language has a circulation in a particular community around the globe.
– However, we can consider language as non- instinctive because, naturally, it is
acquired by us.
Topic:

Language Is Productive And Creative
• Language has its efficiency and innovativeness.
• The auxiliary components of human language are joined
– to create new expressions
• that neither the speaker nor their listeners may have made or heard
previously.
– Honestly, the two sides comprehend without trouble.
• Language can be changed
– as indicated by the necessities of human society.
• After all, language has the power of productivity and creativity.
Topic:

Language Is A System Of Communication
• Language is strong, convenient, and the best form of communication
– and it is the best way to express everything.
• Through language,
– we human beings express our thoughts, desires, emotions, and feelings.
• Further, we can interact easily through the welfare of language.
• After all, we may say that
– language is the best communication system around the world.
Topic:

Language Is Human And Structurally Complex
• Human language is
– open-minded,
– extendable,
– and
– modifiable,
• contrary to animal language.
• Language should be modifiable from time to time.
• No species other than human beings have been endowed with language.
– So we can say that language is naturally human, structurally complex, and
modifiable in some cases.
Topic:

Language Is Unique, Complex, And Modifiable
• Language is indeed a unique phenomenon in the world.
• Every language has its characteristics and distinctive features.
• Furthermore, each language has its creativity and productivity to deliver the best
ways to communicate.
• And this is how language has the potentiality to be unique, complex, and
modifiable by the change of time and culture.
THANK YOU

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Semantics

By : Muhammad Asif Khan

The Problem of Circularity

The Problem of Circularity

The Problem of Circularity

The Problem of Circularity

The Problem of Circularity

The Problem of Circularity

The Problem of Circularity

The Problem of Circularity

Characteristics of Human Language and its relation to semantics

Characteristics of Human Language and its relation to semantics

Characteristics of Human Language and its relation to semantics

Characteristics of Human Language and its relation to semantics

Characteristics of Human Language and its relation to semantics

Characteristics of Human Language and its relation to semantics

Characteristics of Human Language and its relation to semantics

Characteristics of Human Language and its relation to semantics

Characteristics of Human Language and its relation to semantics

Characteristics of Human Language and its relation to semantics

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