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Should the semantic component of the grammar account for uttering any meaningful expression?Can sb explain using other words?

Clive · Accepted Answer

I don't understand that.

Anonymous · Answer

That does not make sense.

I googled it, and the actual question is "Should the semantic component of the grammar account for whatever a speaker means when uttering any meaningful expression?" To answer this, I would have to know what "semantic component of the grammar" and "meaningful expression" mean to the questioner. I don't. Maybe somebody else here does.

CalifJim · Answer

anonymous
Should the semantic component of the grammar account for uttering any meaningful expression?

Can sb explain using other words?

Let's hope so.

It sounds to me like "What color was Henry IV's white horse?" Semantics is meaning.

I'm not sure what the writer means by "account for". If the meaning is "completely account for", we should say no. The same words in a different order, for example — which is syntax, not semantics — can generate different meanings. So semantics may give us most of the meaning, but syntax must be included too.

CJ

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Should the meaning of words be responsible for someone's speaking understandable sentences?

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