Semantics (Palgrave Modern Linguistics) - Softcover

Kate Kearns

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0333738438 ISBN 13: 9780333738436

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan, 2000

Synopsis

This is an introductory textbook in semantics for lower level undergraduates, including extensive end of chapter exercises and suggestions for further reading. The main aim of the book is to provide a good understanding of a range of semantic phenomena and issues in semantics, adopting a truth conditional account of meaning, but without using a compositional formalism. The book assumes no particular background in linguistics or philosophy, and all the technical tools used are explained as they are introduced. The style aims to be accessible, with numerous examples.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Kearns' book provides a lively and engaging introduction to formal semantics. This new edition extends the scope of the first edition by providing additional material on formalization in a very accessible manner. The presentation is clear and user-friendly throughout, making this a really useful resource for use with undergraduates and beginning graduate students alike' – Professor Louisa Sadler, University of Essex

Semantics is the study of the literal meaning of words and the meaning of the way words are combined. This engaging introduction to formal semantics assumes no prior knowledge, providing a solid understanding of a range of semantic phenomena. Truly wide-ranging in coverage, no other introductory textbook discusses a comparable range of topics. Areas covered include:

· a beginner's introduction to type theory and the lambda calculus
· generalized quantifier theory
· referential opacity
· thematic roles and lexical conceptual structure
· aktionsarten
· tense and aspect, including Discourse Representation Theory
· event semantics

Illustrated throughout with numerous practical examples, each chapter also contains exercises, graded to three different levels of difficulty, as well as suggestions for further reading.

Thoroughly revised and expanded, this second edition includes entirely new material on type theory, lambda calculus, semantic composition and discussion of time within a narrative. Comprehensive and accessible, Semantics is ideal for both undergraduate and postgraduate students working at a variety of levels.

About the Author

Kate Kearns is Lecturer, Department of Linguistics, University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

Edition details

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0333738438
• ISBN 13: 9780333738436
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320