Question

in robins linguistics class, the teacher and students are discussing how the word
ice\ once meant \foolish\ and how \awful\ used to mean \full of awe.\ they are most likely discussing _______
a. morphemes
b. semantics
c. phonemes
d. syntax

please select the best answer from the choices provided

Explanation:

Analyze the context of the discussion

The discussion focuses on how the meanings of the words "nice" and "awful" have changed over time (e.g., "nice" meaning "foolish" and "awful" meaning "full of awe").

Define the linguistic terms

• Morphemes are the smallest units of meaning in a language.
• Semantics is the study of meaning in language, including how words express meaning and how those meanings change over time.
• Phonemes are the smallest units of sound in a language.
• Syntax refers to the rules for combining words into grammatically sensible sentences.

Match the discussion topic to the correct term

Since the class is discussing the historical changes in word meanings, they are discussing semantics.

Answer:

• A. morphemes
• B. semantics (Correct answer)
• C. phonemes
• D. syntax