Semasiology in modern linguistics

Annotasiya

This thesis investigates semasiology, a significant branch of linguistic semantics that focuses on how words develop and convey meaning. It analyzes the interconnectedness between semasiology and such linguistic phenomena as pragmatics, polysemy, metaphor, and figurative language. The paper aims to highlight how meaning is shaped not only by linguistic form but also by context, cultural conventions, and speaker intention.

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Кўчирилди

Кўчирилганлиги хақида маълумот йук.
Ulashish
Arzieva, H., & Abdimuratova, N. (2025). Semasiology in modern linguistics. Talabalarni Birlashtirish: Xalqaro Tadqiqot Va Fanlararo Hamkorlik, 1(1), 298–300. Retrieved from https://www.inlibrary.uz/index.php/btsircad/article/view/101239
Hurliman Arzieva, Berdax nomidagi Qoraqalpoq davlat universiteti
108-guruh talabasi
N Abdimuratova, Berdax nomidagi Qoraqalpoq davlat universiteti
Ilmiy maslahatchi
Crossref
Сrossref
Scopus
Scopus

Annotasiya

This thesis investigates semasiology, a significant branch of linguistic semantics that focuses on how words develop and convey meaning. It analyzes the interconnectedness between semasiology and such linguistic phenomena as pragmatics, polysemy, metaphor, and figurative language. The paper aims to highlight how meaning is shaped not only by linguistic form but also by context, cultural conventions, and speaker intention.


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STUDENTLERDI BIRLESTIRIW: XALÍQARALÍQ IZERTLEWLER HÁM PÁNLER BOYINSHA BIRGE

ISLESIW 1-XALÍQARALÍQ STUDENTLER KONFERENCIYASÍ. NÓKIS, 2025-JÍL 20-21-MAY

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Research by Deterding et al. highlights that gamification transforms repetitive or difficult tasks

into engaging challenges, making learning less stressful and more enjoyable. [2, 49]
Additionally, Marti Parreno et al. surveyed teachers' attitudes toward and actual use of gamification.
They found that, while many educators recognized its potential value, they often lacked the training,
time,

or

technological

support

needed

to

implement

it

effectively.

[4,

63]

This highlights the need for professional development and institutional support systems to help
teachers design and manage gamified learning experiences effectively.
Gamification represents a promising approach to addressing many challenges facing contemporary
education, from student engagement and motivation to the development of 21st-century skills.

The effectiveness of educational gamification depends on several key factors:

Alignment with learning objectives and pedagogical frameworks,

Balance between extrinsic and intrinsic motivational elements,

Adaptation to specific educational contexts and student characteristics,

Attention to potential equity concerns.

When these considerations are addressed, gamification offers educators powerful tools for creating

more engaging, effective, and student-centered learning environments. A well-designed gamified
approach can inspire students to develop persistence, discipline, and a lifelong love of learning.

References:

1.

Kapp, K. M. (2012).

The Gamification of Learning and Instruction: Game-based Methods

and Strategies for Training and Education.

2.

Deterding, S., Dixon, D., Khaled, R., & Nacke, L. (2011). From game design elements to

gamefulness: Defining “Gamification.”
3.

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs

and the self-determination of behavior.

Psychological Inquiry.

4.

Marti Parreno, J., Segui-Mas, D., & Segui-Mas, E. (2016). Teachers’ attitudes towards and

actual use of gamification.
5.

Тажиева, А., & Нурниязов , Н. (2024). Implementing cognitive approach into English

language learning classes. Преимущества и проблемы использования достижений
отечественной и мировой науки и технологии в сфере иноязычного образования, 1(1),
387–390. извлечено от https://inlibrary.uz/index.php/field-foreign-
education/article/view/32883


SEMASIOLOGY IN MODERN LINGUISTICS

Arzieva Hurliman

108 Group student

Karakalpak state University

Scientific adviser: Abdimuratova N.P.

Annotation:

This thesis investigates semasiology, a significant branch of linguistic semantics that

focuses on how words develop and convey meaning. It analyzes the interconnectedness between
semasiology and such linguistic phenomena as pragmatics, polysemy, metaphor, and figurative
language. The paper aims to highlight how meaning is shaped not only by linguistic form but also by
context, cultural conventions, and speaker intention.

Keywords:

Semasiology, meaning, polysemy, pragmatics, metaphor, figurative language.


Introduction:

Semasiology is a branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words and

expressions from the standpoint of the word itself, as opposed to the concept or referent. It answers


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STUDENTLERDI BIRLESTIRIW: XALÍQARALÍQ IZERTLEWLER HÁM PÁNLER BOYINSHA BIRGE

ISLESIW 1-XALÍQARALÍQ STUDENTLER KONFERENCIYASÍ. NÓKIS, 2025-JÍL 20-21-MAY

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the question: "What does this word mean?" rather than "How do we express this idea?" By starting
with the word form and tracing its semantic development, semasiology serves as a cornerstone in the
study of language, enabling researchers to understand how meaning evolves and diversifies. In
modern linguistics, semasiology is closely linked with other areas of study such as pragmatics, which
examines meaning in context, and polysemy, which reflects the multiplicity of meanings a single word
can possess. Additionally, metaphor and other forms of figurative language play an essential role in
meaning expansion and conceptual transformation. This thesis delves into how these aspects interact
within the framework of semasiology to contribute to the dynamism of language [1, 72].

Interpretive Approaches to Word Meaning.

Semasiology is not merely concerned with dictionary definitions; it embraces the dynamic,

context-dependent, and multi-layered nature of meaning. Words are not fixed entities—they shift and
evolve through time, influenced by societal change, cognitive patterns, and communicative need. At
its core, semasiology explores how these meanings emerge, extend, overlap, and in some cases,
disappear. Unlike lexicography or etymology, which might focus on historical development or usage
frequency, semasiology focuses on the relationship between signifier and meaning within a particular
linguistic system.

One of the crucial dimensions of semasiology is its overlap with pragmatics. Pragmatics brings

in the contextual, situational, and interactional aspects of language. It acknowledges that the meaning
of an utterance can drastically change based on tone, intention, social relationship, or even timing. For
example, the phrase “Can you open the window?” is literally a question about ability, but
pragmatically, it functions as a polite request. Semasiology, when approached through the lens of
pragmatics, considers not only the literal semantics of a word or phrase but also the inferred or implied
meanings that arise in communication. This interaction shows that the meaning is not inherent in the
word itself but co-constructed by speaker and listener in specific contexts [2, 30].

Another key feature within semasiological study is polysemy, where one lexical item has multiple

related meanings. This phenomenon shows how language economizes its vocabulary while expanding
expressive capability. For instance, the word "light" can refer to brightness, something not heavy, or
even a pale color. Each of these meanings is related by underlying conceptual metaphors or shared
cognitive frameworks. Polysemy presents a semantic challenge: determining which meaning is
intended requires reliance on contextual clues. In this sense, semasiology becomes a bridge between
cognitive linguistics and real-world communication.

Metaphor and figurative language add another layer of richness to semasiology. Metaphor allows

us to understand abstract or unfamiliar domains through the lens of concrete experiences. For instance,
when we say “time is money,” we are not merely being poetic—we are using metaphor to structure
how we think about time as a valuable, spendable resource. Semasiology investigates how such
metaphors become so embedded in language that they influence everyday thinking and
communication. Figurative expressions like idioms ("kick the bucket"), metonymy ("the crown" for
monarchy), or personification ("the wind whispered") are essential for semantic evolution. Over time,
many figurative expressions become conventionalized and are no longer perceived as metaphorical.
Semasiology tracks these shifts, mapping how the figurative becomes literal and how abstract thought
becomes linguistically tangible [3, 42].

Taken together, these elements demonstrate that semasiology is not a static or purely structural

discipline. It interacts with psychology, sociology, philosophy, and culture to uncover how meaning
functions in real communication. Modern linguistics no longer treats meaning as a by-product of form,
but rather as a complex, dynamic construct influenced by a variety of internal and external factors.
Through the integration of pragmatic context, polysemous structures, and metaphorical
conceptualization, semasiology provides a robust framework for analyzing the living nature of
language.

Expected Outcomes.


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This research is expected to yield several insightful outcomes that contribute both to theoretical

linguistics and practical language understanding. Firstly, the thesis aims to establish a comprehensive
understanding of semasiology as a dynamic field that intersects with pragmatics, cognitive linguistics,
and figurative language studies. Through a detailed analysis of polysemy and metaphorical
expressions, the study will shed light on how meaning is not fixed but fluid, context-sensitive, and
socially constructed.

The exploration of metaphor and figurative language is also anticipated to result in a clearer

understanding of how abstract concepts are grounded in human experience through metaphorical
thinking. The research will highlight how figurative language enriches communication, expands the
expressive potential of words, and contributes to semantic development over time. Moreover, it will
analyze the process by which figurative meanings become conventionalized and integrated into literal
usage [4, 114].

This thesis also expects to draw connections between semasiological theory and real-world

applications, particularly in areas such as language education, translation, intercultural
communication, and artificial intelligence. For instance, understanding how polysemy and context
influence meaning can significantly improve machine translation and natural language processing
technologies. Similarly, in language teaching, this knowledge can aid in developing strategies to teach
vocabulary more effectively by emphasizing meaning variation and contextual usage.

Conclusion:

Semasiology plays a pivotal role in understanding how language constructs and conveys meaning.

It highlights the inherent complexity and fluidity of linguistic meaning, influenced by context, usage,
and cultural interpretation. By examining related concepts such as pragmatics, polysemy, and
metaphor, we gain a comprehensive understanding of how words function far beyond their literal
definitions. Semasiology invites us to consider not only what words mean, but how they mean—and
how that meaning is negotiated between speaker and listener in diverse communicative settings.

References:

1.

Lyons,

J.

(1977).

Semantics

(Vol.

1).

Cambridge

University

Press.

This foundational text by Lyons offers an extensive exploration of semantics, providing
theoretical insights into word meaning, polysemy, and the relationship between semantics and
pragmatics.

2.

Grice, H. P. (1975).

Logic and Conversation.

In

Speech Acts

(pp. 41-58). Springer.

Grice’s work on conversational implicature is essential for understanding pragmatics and how
speakers communicate meanings indirectly, offering a framework for interpreting meaning in
context.

3.

Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1980).

Metaphors We Live By.

University of Chicago Press.

Lakoff and Johnson’s work is a seminal contribution to metaphor theory, showing how metaphors
shape thought, language, and meaning, which is critical in semasiology and figurative language
studies.

4.

Saussure,

F.

de

(1916).

Course

in

General

Linguistics.

McGraw-Hill.

A cornerstone in structuralist linguistics, Saussure’s theory on the relationship between the
signifier and the signified is key to understanding how meaning is constructed in semasiology.






Bibliografik manbalar

Lyons, J. (1977). Semantics (Vol. 1). Cambridge University Press. This foundational text by Lyons offers an extensive exploration of semantics, providing theoretical insights into word meaning, polysemy, and the relationship between semantics and pragmatics.

Grice, H. P. (1975). Logic and Conversation. In Speech Acts (pp. 41-58). Springer. Grice’s work on conversational implicature is essential for understanding pragmatics and how speakers communicate meanings indirectly, offering a framework for interpreting meaning in context.

Lakoff, G., & Johnson, M. (1980). Metaphors We Live By. University of Chicago Press. Lakoff and Johnson’s work is a seminal contribution to metaphor theory, showing how metaphors shape thought, language, and meaning, which is critical in semasiology and figurative language studies.

Saussure, F. de (1916). Course in General Linguistics. McGraw-Hill. A cornerstone in structuralist linguistics, Saussure’s theory on the relationship between the signifier and the signified is key to understanding how meaning is constructed in semasiology.