More Semantic Expressions: Reference, Referent and Sense Written by Dr. Khalid on Nov. 2, 2023 in Semantic SEO. Last update on Nov. 2, 2023. Don't forget to share this post Semantic Expressions In this essay, we continue explaining more crucial semantic concepts such as REFERENCE, REFERENT and SENSE (See Essay No. 6 Important Semantic Expressions) I'am going to explain the significant differences among such semantic concepts and provide adequate examples. Here we go. REFERENCE Reference Is the relation of the word with the being (referent) in the outside real world. This being could be a human (John), an animal (dog) , a plant (tree) , a thing (table) or a place (Paris). The table below is self-evident. Part of the Language (Abstract)(words/prounouns/phrases) Part of the Real World (Concrete)(persons, animals, plants, things) The King of Jordan ( Phrase) Referent Car (word) Referent SENSE Sense is the relationship between a language expression and other language expressions in the same language. e.g. rich and wealthy are synonyms, come and go are antonyms. The sense of an expression is an abstraction, but it is helpful to note that it is an abstraction that can be entertained in the mind of a language user. When a person understands fully what is said to them, it is reasonable to say that they grasp the sense of the expressions they hear. (see Essay No. 2 Lexical Relations). Referent Referent is a specific being in the external real world. The referent of an expression is often a thing or a person in the world; whereas the sense of an expression is not a thing at all. Types of Referents 1. Constant: The referent doesn't change. The Moon: The physical referent is the moon Canada: The physical referent is the country The Red Sea: The physical referent is the Red Sea 2. Changeable: The referent changes from time to time. The USA President: The referent is: Biden, Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton, Etc. 3. Multiple: Multiple expressions have only one referent. The 44th president of USA: Barak Obama The president of USA from 09 to 17: Barak Obama The first African American president: Barak Obama The husbend of Michelle Obama: Barak Obama Sense vs. Referent Sense Referent 1. The relationship between a language expression and other language expressions in the same language. Referent is a specific being in the external real world 2. Sense is related to words( book), phrases ( in the book) and sentences (This book is useful.) Referring expressions have referent. 3. Sense is abstract. Referent is real and concrete. 4. Every meaningful language expression has a sense such as ( and, for, or, although, because) Not every meaningful language expression has a referent Conclusion In conclusion, the terms reference, referent, and sense are essential concepts in the study of semantics. Reference is the relationship between a linguistic expression and the object or entity that it refers to in the real world. Referent is the object or entity in the real world. Sense is the meaning of a linguistic expression. It is the information that the expression conveys about its referent. References Hurford, J., B. Heasley and M. Smith (2007) Semantics: a coursebook (2nd edition) Cambridge University Press. George Yule (2014) The Study of Language (5th edition) Cambridge University Press Alkhuli, M.A., An Introduction to Semantics ( 2008) Dar AlFalah, Jordan