What is the main focus of semantics?

The main focus of semantics is the study of word meanings. This branch of linguistics examines how words represent ideas, concepts, and things in the world, exploring the relationships between words and their meanings. Semantics looks at how meaning is constructed, interpreted, and conveyed in language, making it essential for understanding communication, especially for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, as grasping the nuances of word meanings can help in their language development and comprehension.

In contrast, the arrangement of words in a sentence pertains to syntax, which deals with sentence structure rather than meaning. The sounds produced in speech relate to phonetics, focusing on how sounds are articulated and perceived. Cognitive processes involved in reading are more connected with psycholinguistics and literacy development, looking at how individuals comprehend and interpret written language rather than the meanings of individual words.