Types of meaningSemantics is the study of meaning; he is specifically interested in logical and conceptual meaning. Specificity is necessary in this case, because the search for meaning has been the purview of various fields of research and study for centuries – each defining “meaning” according to their own needs. Although it is difficult to justify such a demarcation, it is nevertheless necessary to separate the areas of "real world" knowledge from the meaning of language itself. Expanding the definition of meaning too widely, as Leech accuses Bloomfield, would result in a vast area of ​​knowledge impossible to penetrate systematically (qtd. in Bloomfeld 9). Thus, Leech is primarily interested in the science of language, that is, how words and sentences work together to relate to real-world actions, objects, and processes. It then seeks to divide this still very broad definition into manageable parts recognizing seven different types of meaning that work together to enable effective communication through language. The first, and of primary importance, is conceptual meaning. The other five, falling under the banner of associative meanings, are connotative meaning, social meaning, affective meaning, reflective meaning, and collocative meaning. The last being the thematic meaning. Conceptual meaning is widely considered a basic element of all linguistic communication. Leech considers this necessary in almost all forms of language-based communication (10). It provides a complex organization that reflects the apparent order in the other key areas of language, phonology, i.e. sound, and syntax regarding grammar and sentence construction. In particular the principle of...... middle of paper ......red by Leech, although he specifies that it would be entirely possible to add many other types. Furthermore, the lines that distinguish the seven types of meanings can often become blurred. For example, there may be debates about whether differences in a sentence are due to conceptual or connotative meaning. “He put the box under the bed. » “He placed the box under the bed. » Some might point out that the difference is purely stylistic, with the latter being more formal than the former and therefore concerned with connotation. While one could argue that the concept of setting up and placing an object differs in terms of precision and care. In such cases, it might be easier to assume that the difference in meaning occurs on more than one of these planes and that they often overlap. Works Cited Leech, Geoffery. Semantics: study of meaning. Penguin Books. 1983. Print.