My interpretation of “semantics” is consistent (I think) with how mathematicians define the semantics of an expression. For example, I believe that a mathematician would say the semantics of this expression: 1 + 1 is: 2
The "semantics" of 1+1 isn't just 2. 1+1 is not the same thing as 5 - 3; one is an addition, the other a subtraction, and that's part of the semantics of the expression.
Furthermore, in neither case does the semantics depend on anyone taking any action by performing the computation. 1+1 has the same meaning whether anyone actually adds them up or not.
Michael Kay Saxonica
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