(Semantics) Componential Analysis

Background

A crucial part of translation is preserving the full meaning of the original text. To evaluate this, I think componential analysis in semantics can be utilized. Semantics is a branch of linguistics that studies meaning. For example, it deals with synonyms and personification.

Description

Below is an example of componential analysis.

spring: [+season][-hot][-cold]
summer: [+season][+hot][-cold]
fall: [+season][-hot][-cold]
winter: [+season][-hot][+cold]

It shouldn't have been difficult to understand. If the word possesses the attribute, a '+' is added; if not, a '-' is added.

Elements like [+cold] are called 'semantic components', and identifying these components is known as 'componential analysis.' Since there are two possible values, '+' and '-', it is called 'binary'.

Implementing It in Sentences During Translation

It seems that it is usually applied only to words, but it may also be beneficial to use it in sentences when translating. Please look at the following sentences.

1. She might be taller than me.

2. She is taller than me.

 

When the component [sure] is applied to these two sentences, the first one is marked as [-sure], while the second one is marked as [+sure]. Therefore, it can be translated this way.

1. 그녀는 아마 나보다 키가 더 클 거야.

2. 그녀는 나보다 키가 더 커.

References

Introducing English Semantics (Second Edition) | Charles W. Kreidler | Routledge | 2014

Analyzing Meaning - An Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics | Paul Kroeger | LibreTexts

한국어 의미론 제2판 | 임지룡 | 한국문화사 | 2024

한국어 문법 총론 2 | 구본관 외 | 집문당 | 2023

한국어의 의미와 의미 이론 | 전영철 | 박이정 | 2023

한국어 의미론 | 박철우 외 | 사회평론아카데미 | 2023