| CODE | LIN1281 | ||||||
| TITLE | Linguistic Semantics | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Institute of Linguistics | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is concerned with the analysis of the meaning that natural language encodes, both at the lexical and the sentential level. Since the questions surrounding semantics have been tackled within a variety of disciplines in addition to linguistics, especially philosophy and psychology, the study-unit will involve forays into both these disciplines, while maintaining a clear focus on semantic theorising within the discipline of linguistics itself. During the lectures, the students will be assigned tasks that will help them exercise the skills acquired. Study-unit Aims When we informally think about linguistic meaning, we tend to confuse the meaning that is encoded in natural language expressions and sentences, with that which is communicated in context. The aim of semantic theory is to isolate those aspects of meaning that are language-internal and hence immune to contextual intrusions. Attending this unit, students will develop a solid background in the one of the core areas of linguistics, which is relevant to virtually all scientific analyses of language. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - identify the basic concerns, concepts, and terminology of linguistic semantics; - analyse both lexical and sentential meaning; - appreciate linguistic meaning in abstraction of its contexts of use; - understand the connection(s) of semantics with other areas of linguistics. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - engage in semantic analysis of words and sentences; - apply the knowledge acquired in this unit to get acquainted with logical, pragmatic and computational approaches to linguistic meaning later on. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings Main text: - Saeed, J. 2003. Semantics. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers. Supplementary readings: - Cruse, A. 2000. Meaning in Language: An Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. - Heim, I. & Kratzer, A. 1998. Semantics in Generative Grammar. Oxford: Blackwell. - Hurford, J.R., Heasley, B. & Smith, M.B. 2007. Semantics: A Coursebook (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Jaszczolt, K.M. 2002. Semantics and Pragmatics: Meaning in Language and Discourse. London: Longman. - Kaerns, K. 2000. Semantics. Basingstoke: Macmillan. - Kempson, R.M. 1977. Semantic Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Leech, G. 1974. Semantics. Penguin. - Loebner, S. 2002. Understanding Semantics. London: Edward Arnold. - Loppin, S. 1996. The Handbook of Contemporary Semantic Theory. Oxford: Blackwell. - Lyons, J. 1995. Linguistic Semantics: An Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Lyons, J. 1977. Semantics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Palmer, F.R. 1981. Semantics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Stavros Assimakopoulos |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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