Semantics

[DisneyFan06]

I have two questions that I need some help with. If anyone can help it will be greatly appreciated, I am having some trouble explaining myself when it comes to this topic which concerns me a great deal.

1. In the movie, Analyze This, the mobster asks the psychiatrist if there are bugs in his room. The psychiatrist responds, "What do you mean?"

Taking a semantic viewpoint, explain why the psychiatrist is puzzsled by the question.


2. Idenify some prototypes and non-typical examples for the following words:

Birds:
Now, I do have some prototypes for this one, I have: small creature that has wings and feathers, has a beak, and can fly and sing.

Art:

 

[disneygals]

Is this what you mean?

bugs...could be insects or recording devices

birds...what you "flip" to people when you're mad or cute girls in London

Art...Paul Simon's singing partner

 

[Uncle Remus]

No way. I did too much of this in college

 

[DisneyFan06]

No way. I did too much of this in college

Yeah, and I am trying to get through it!

 

[Uncle Remus]

Oh Darlin', bless your heart.
Good Luck

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Yeah, and I am trying to get through it!

I thought this sounded like homework. Sorry can't help but have fun with the answers your likely to get here.

 

[DisneyFan06]

Actually. After I posted this all my ideas came into my head! I fill like a jerk creating this thread, but sometimes when I create something things just fly out at me - what a waste of space! Sorry guys!

Just to prove to you all I did my homework, I will post it for you!


3. In the movie, Analyze This, the mobster asks the psychiatrist if there are bugs in his room. The psychiatrist responds, “What do you mean?”

Taking a semantic viewpoint, explain why the psychiatrist is puzzled by the question.

Semantics is the student of the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences. Idioms, a style or manner of expression peculiar to a given people, are important in how a learner will interpret expressions such as the Cold War, he kicked the bucket, and there are bugs in this room. To interpret these successfully, a person has to learn the special meanings of these expressions as if learning a new word. To one person bugs are insects while to another it’s a glitch. The psychiatrist in question is puzzled by this question because he is unsure of the idioms surrounding the given word.

4. Identify some prototypes and non-typical examples for the following words:

a. birds
b. art

A prototype is a typical example of something. We often talk about the prototypical meaning of a word, or the most common type of referent that is associated with that word.

A common example is the prototypical referent of the word 'bird' is a small creature that has wings and feathers and a beak, and that can fly and sing. A sparrow would then be well within the prototype, while penguin or an ostrich would not be prototypical, although they are classified biologically as birds.


Another common example is the pontifical referent of the word 'art' is an impressive piece of work designed by an artist or illustrator. A Thomas Kinkade painting would be well within the prototype, while a sculpture would not, although it us classified as art. Another would be skills such as ballet. Ballet is not within the prototype; however, it is classified as a performing art.

 

[va32h]

The mobster is referring to bugs as in listening devices, not "glitches".

Please, please do not use Thomas Kinkade as an example of art - I would not consider his product a prototype of art in the least!

I would also disagree that sculpture is not a prototypical example of art. A better example, IMO would be a performance art or installation, a "found art" piece that uses unaltered trash, or those giant graffities cadillacs or giant umbrellas.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Very well done, but yes I think I would add the term "listening device" for a bug. As for "art" good luck defining that to everyone's satisfaction .