Which analysis focuses solely on the meaning of words and phrases?

The focus of semantic analysis is on understanding the meaning of words and phrases within a language. This analysis aims to interpret the semantically relevant aspects of text, such as the relationships between words, the concepts they represent, and how these meanings combine in sentences or larger discourses.

Semantic analysis goes beyond just structural or grammatical constructs; it looks at how language conveys meaning, including nuances, ambiguities, and the context in which words are used. This deep comprehension is necessary for tasks such as natural language understanding, machine translation, and sentiment analysis, where grasping the intention behind words is crucial for effective communication.

In contrast, syntactic analysis deals primarily with the structure of sentences and the rules governing sentence formation, while contextual analysis considers the broader situational context surrounding language use. Statistical analysis, on the other hand, focuses on numerical data and patterns, rather than meaning. Thus, semantic analysis is distinctly centered on the interpretation of language and is essential for AI applications that require understanding human language.