Semantics

Objectives of the course

Introduction into semantics, the study of meaning. Main focus is on formal /model theoretic semantics. The main idea is that the meaning of the entire sentence is a function of the meaning of its parts. In this way, semantics is closely linked to the study of syntax since they both feed each other and test their findings with each other.

Prerequisites

This is an introductory course, so no special knowledge is required to enroll in this course. Yet it is expected that students will have some background in linguistics, like an intro class to linguistics or an undergraduate level class in semantics, syntax, logic, etc. It is also expected that students take this course either at the same time or else later then Syntax I. It is one of the three core courses and it gives the students the required foundations on which further knowledge can be built.

Assessment methods

Attending lectures, a term paper, active participation in in-class discussions.

Course contents

The formal language of logic, with introduction to modal logic. The program of compositional semantics, with its building blocks and way they are put together. Various approaches to the study of meaning and various open questions in each particular approach. What is the relation between sense and denotation, what is the meaning of lexical units, how meaning is acquired, etc.

In the first part of the course, recitations are mostly devoted to familiarizing with the formal languages used in semantics. Later on, material discussed in lectures forms the main part of recitations, where more time and care is devoted to the main questions. Emphasis is given to practical knowledge and actual analysis of language data.

Recommended reading

• Heim, I. and A. Kratzer. 1998. Semantics in generative grammar. Boston: Blackwell.
• Chierchia, G. and S. McConnell-Ginet. 2000. Meaning and grammar: an introduction to semantics. Cambridge: MIT Press.
• Articles from various journals like Linguistic Inquiry, Natural Language and Linguistic Theory, Syntax, Lingua, The Linguistic Review, Natural Language Semantics, Language, Linguistics, etc