What is Semantics?
Semantics is the aspect of language function that relates to understanding the meanings of words, phrases and sentences, and using words appropriately when we speak. Children with semantic difficulties have a very hard time understanding the meaning of words and sentences. This is sometimes apparent from their unusual responses when they are told to do something, and sometimes it is revealed by the questions they ask, and the things they say about words. There is an example here of 12 year old Nerida’s interpretation of the word "acquire". In the example, she was unable to detect from the context that she was being asked what "acquire", rather than "a choir" meant. People with semantic processing difficulties have particular trouble with abstract words like ‘curious’ or ‘vague’, words that relate to feelings and emotions such as ’embarrassed’ and ‘anxious’, and words that refer to status (for instance ‘expert’ or ‘authority’) or degree (for example, ‘essen
