Introduction to Semantics

Thomas Ede Zimmermann, Wolfgang Sternefeld

ISBN 10: 3110308002 / ISBN 13: 9783110308006

Published by De Gruyter, DE, 2013

About this Item

This textbook helps undergraduate students of language and linguistics taking their first steps in one of the core areas of grammar, introducing them to the basic ideas, insights, and techniques of contemporary semantic theory. Requiring no special background knowledge, the book starts with everyday observations about word meaning and use and then hightlights the role of structure in the analysis of the meanings of phrases and clauses, zooming in on the fascinating and vexing question of how speakers manage to meaningfully communicate with sentences and texts they have never come across before. At the same time, the reader becomes acquainted with the modern, functionalist characterization of linguistic meaning in terms of reference (extension) and information (intension), and learns to apply technical tools from formal logic to analyzing the meaning of complex linguistic expressions as being composed by the meanings of their parts. Each of the nine main chapters contains a variety of exercises for self-study and classroom use, with model solutions in the appendix. Extensive English examples provide ample illustration.

Seller Inventory # LU-9783110308006

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Introduction to Semantics
• Publisher: De Gruyter, DE
• Publication Date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3110308002
• ISBN 13: 9783110308006
• Binding: Hardback
• Edition: 1st.
• Condition: New
• Dimensions: 6W x 0.75H x 9.23D inches 6 inches width by 0.75 inches height by 9.23 inches depth
• Weight: 458 grams

About this title

Synopsis

This textbook helps undergraduate students of language and linguistics taking their first steps in one of the core areas of grammar, introducing them to the basic ideas, insights, and techniques of contemporary semantic theory. Requiring no special background knowledge, the book starts with everyday observations about word meaning and use and then hightlights the role of structure in the analysis of the meanings of phrases and clauses, zooming in on the fascinating and vexing question of how speakers manage to meaningfully communicate with sentences and texts they have never come across before. At the same time, the reader becomes acquainted with the modern, functionalist characterization of linguistic meaning in terms of reference (extension) and information (intension), and learns to apply technical tools from formal logic to analyzing the meaning of complex linguistic expressions as being composed by the meanings of their parts. Each of the nine main chapters contains a variety of exercises for self-study and classroom use, with model solutions in the appendix. Extensive English examples provide ample illustration.

About the Author

Thomas Ede Zimmermann, Goethe University Frankfurt; Wolfgang Sternefeld, University of Tübingen.