Semantics: An Introduction to Meaning in Language

by Ronnie Cann, Ruth Kempson, Eleni Gregoromichelaki

The study of meaning in language has developed dramatically over the last fifty years. Semantics is distinctive as it not only presents a general introduction to the topic, including the most recent developments, but it also provides a unique perspective for addressing current issues. It opens by introducing readers to the study of logic (natural deduction) as the background against which developments have taken place. This demonstrates the link between semantics and the study of reasoning and how this view can provide new solutions to the puzzles that have plagued the approaches presented in other textbooks. The major subject areas of semantics are discussed, including quantification, anaphora and discourse, tense and aspect, ellipsis and context, and word meaning. The book also presents state-of-the-art research in topics at the forefront of semantics.

Genres: Linguistics, Textbooks

306 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[Handsome · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok good

[Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Introduces some notions I haven't encountered before such as Dynamic Syntax and the general change in semantics to formally model context.