Frame Semantics

Frame semantics is a linguistic theory that suggests that our understanding of words is rooted in mental structures called "frames." These frames are background knowledge and experiences that shape how we interpret meaning. For example, the word "restaurant" evokes a frame involving customers, food, service, and social interaction. When we hear or use words, we activate these frames, which helps us make sense of language by connecting it to our existing knowledge about the world. Frame semantics highlights how context and prior experiences influence our comprehension and communication.