Meaning and Interpretation

Prerequisites

• Introduction to Linguistics
• Sounds, grammar and meaning in language

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

This module provides a basic introduction to formal semantics. Throughout the module we will examine a range of core topics in word and sentence meaning, with the focus being on understanding what the issues are. A wide range of examples and exercises are used in class that will help to understand the use of logic in the analysis of natural language languages. 

At the end of the course the student should: 

• be familiar with basic concepts and issues in the study of Semantics at the lexical, sentential and discourse level;
• appreciate the various (lexical, grammatical and logical) relations which structure the semantic domains relevant to natural languages;
• be able to apply relevant data, tests and argumentation to the investigation of specific semantic phenomena;
• have been introduced to, and reflected upon, a number of key topics in semantics, including how logic is used to determine meaning.

Workload

The course is taught over 10 weeks with a 1 hour lecture and a 1 hour tutorial per week. 

Scope and syllabus

The course is intended to convey:

• a sense of how words, sentences and utterances are associated with meaning, interpretation and language use in the broader context
• an introduction to the basic concepts and issues in semantics and pragmatics
• a greater understanding of the ways in which linguistic structures relate to semantic interpretation and to our more general conceptual knowledge about the world.

Topics covered include:

• Lexical and phrasal meanings and the logical and semantic systems they may participate in, including quantificational systems, predication, tense, aspect and modality
• Contextual dimensions of interpretation, including information structure, deixis, pragmatics and discourse domains
• The cognitive/conceptual models on which natural language semantics is based: event- types,plurality and count/mass distinctions, semantic components and lexical-conceptual structures.

Method of assessment

• One essay of 1,500 words to be submitted in the term the course is taught (40%)
• One essay of 1,500 words to be submitted in the term after the course is taught (60%)
• The exact assessment deadline dates are published on the relevant module Moodle/BLE page

Suggested reading

Core readings

Main text

• Saeed, John (2011) Semantics (3rd ed), Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell

Additional texts

• de Swart, Henriëtte (1998) Introduction to Natural Language Semantics, CSLI
• Hurford, James R, Brendan Heasley and Michael B Smith (2007) Semantics: A coursebook (second edition), Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
• Löbner, Sebastian (2002) Understanding Semantics, Arnold Publishers.
• Kearns, Kate (2011) Semantics (2nd ed), Palgrave Macmillan
• Portner, Paul (2005) What is meaning? Fundamentals of formal semantics, Blackwell

Supplementary readings

Additional references will be provided as they become relevant to the course.

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules