semantics

Semantics (pronounced seh-MANT-iks , from Greek semantikos or significant and sema or sign) is the branch of semiotics , the philosophy or study of signs, that deals with meaning. The other two branches of semiotics are syntactics (the arrangement of signs) and pragmatics (the relationship between the speaker and the signs). In discussing natural and computer languages, the distinction is sometimes made between syntax (for example, the word order in a sentence or the exact computer command notation) and semantics (what the words really say or what functions are requested in the command).

Last updated on: Apr 05, 2005

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