Introduction to semantics

The course provides an overview of the linguistic theory in the domain of formal semantics. For students with a necessary background, the course serves to systematize their knowledge, for all others the course aims to establish a necessary level of knowledge in semantic theory.

Competences:
• Ability to do independent research in formal semantic theory
• Ability to identify interesting and theoretically significant problems in formal semantics

A completed course at the level of the course “Introduction to Semantics” or “Formal methods in linguistics” at the II. Degree Linguistics program at UNG.

• Denotation, truth conditions
• Theory of reference
• Lambda calculus
• Presuppositions and implicatures
• Quantification and logical form
• Intensionality

Knowledge of the fundamental aspects of formal semantics, the formal theory of meaning.

• Shalom Lappin (ur.). 1997. The Handbook of Contemporary Semantic Theory- Oxford: Blackwell
• Gennaro Chierchia in Sally McConnell-Ginet. 2000. Meaning and Grammar: an introduction to semantics. Cambridge MA: MIT Press.
• Irene Heim in Angelika Kratzer. 1998. Semantics in Generative Grammar. Oxford: Blackwell.
• Peter Ludlow (ur.). 1997. A Readings in the Philosophy of Language. Cambridge MA: MIT Press.

Homework assignments and final term paper (50% / 50%).

Associate professor of Linguistics at the University of Gorica.

Bibliography:

1. SAUERLAND, Uli, STATEVA, Penka. 2007. Scalar vs. epistemic vagueness : evidence from approximators. V: FRIEDMAN, Tova (ur.), GIBSON, Masayuki (ur.). Proceedings from Semantics and Linguistic Theory XVII, Ithaca: Cornell University, str. 228-245.
2. SAUERLAND, Uli, STATEVA, Penka. 2011. Two types of vagueness. V: ÉGRÉ, Paul (ur.), KLINEDINST, Nathan (ur.). Vagueness and language use, (Palgrave studies in pragmatics, language and cognition). Hampshire; New York: Palgrave Macmillan, str. 121-145.
3. SAUERLAND, Uli, STATEVA, Penka. 2007. Introduction. V: SAUERLAND, Uli (ur.), STATEVA, Penka (ur.). Presupposition and implicature in compositional semantics, (Palgrave studies in pragmatics, language, and cognition). Hampshire; New York: Palgrave Macmillan, str. 1-11.
4. STEPANOV, Arthur, STATEVA, Penka. 2009. When QR disobeys superiority. Linguistic inquiry, ISSN 0024-3892, vol. 40, no. 1, str. 176-185.
5. SHARVIT, Yael, STATEVA, Penka. 2002. Superlative expressions, context, and focus. Linguistics and philosophy, ISSN 0165-0157, vol. 25, no. 4, str. 453-504