The properties of the words as the basic units of the language

16. Componential analysis
Componential analysis (feature analysis or contrast analysis) is the analysis of words through structured sets of semantic features, which are given as "present", "absent" or "indifferent with reference to feature". The method thus departs from the principle of compositionality. Componential analysis is a method typical of structural semantics which analyzes the components of a word's meaning. Thus, it reveals the culturally important features by which speakers of the language distinguish different words in a semantic field or domain. In other words, the word girl can have three basic factors (or semantic properties): human, young, and female. Another example, being edible is an important factor by which plants may be distinguished from one another .To summarize, one word can have basic underlying meanings that are well established depending on the cultural context. It is crucial to understand these underlying meanings in order to fully understand any language and culture.
17.What is the relation between referential and functional approaches?
Referential Approach There are broadly speaking two schools to
Meaning of thought in present-day linguistics representing the main lines
of contemporary thinking on the problem: the referential approach, which
seeks to formulate the essence of meaning by establishing the interdependence between words and the things or concepts they denote, and the
functional approach, which studies the functions of a word in speech and
is less concerned with what meaning is than with how it works.17.Referential Approach There are broadly speaking two schools to
Meaning of thought in present-day linguistics representing the main lines
of contemporary thinking on the problem: the referential approach, which
seeks to formulate the essence of meaning by establishing the interdependence between words and the things or concepts they denote, and the
functional approach, which studies the functions of a word in speech and
is less concerned with what meaning is than with how it works. . The functional approach maintains that the meaning of a linguistic unit may be studied only through its
relation to other linguistic-units and not through its relation to either concept or referent. In a very simplified form this view may be illustrated by
the following: we know, for instance, that the meaning of the two words
move and movement is different because they function in speech differently. Comparing the contexts in which we find these words we cannot fail
to observe that they occupy different positions in relation to other words.
(To) move, e.g., can be followed by a noun (move the chair), preceded by
a pronoun (we move), etc. The position occupied by the word movement
is different: it may be followed by a preposition (movement of smthWhen comparing the two approaches described above in terms of methods of linguistic analysis we see that the functional approach should not be considered
an alternative, but rather a valuable complement to the referential theory. It
is only natural that linguistic investigation must start by collecting an adequate number of samples of contexts.1
On examination the meaning or
meanings of linguistic units will emerge from the contexts themselves.
Once this phase had been completed it seems but logical to pass on to the
referential phase and try to formulate the meaning thus identified. There is
absolutely no need to set the two approaches against each other; each handles its own side of the problem and neither is complete without the other.