sememi

Sememi refers to a unit of meaning within semantics, a branch of linguistics. It is the smallest, indivisible unit of meaning that can be identified in a word or morpheme. Unlike phonemes, which are units of sound, or morphemes, which are the smallest grammatical units, sememes are conceptual. They represent the abstract features or components that make up the meaning of a linguistic expression.

For example, the word "woman" can be broken down into sememes such as [+human], [+adult], and [+female]. The word "girl" shares the [+human] and [+female] sememes but differs with [+child] instead of [+adult]. The combination of these sememes creates the distinct meaning of each word.

The concept of sememi is primarily associated with componential analysis, a method used to analyze the semantic structure of words. By identifying and cataloging sememes, linguists can better understand semantic relationships like synonymy, antonymy, and hyponymy. For instance, synonyms often share a large number of sememes, while antonyms might differ in a single, crucial sememe.

The precise definition and scope of sememi are debated among linguists. Some consider them theoretical constructs, while others view them as more concrete elements of meaning. Despite these discussions, the concept remains a valuable tool for exploring the intricate ways in which language encodes meaning.