|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Course Description
Semantics is the scientific study of meaning in language. It encompasses a very wide range of phenomena. In this class we will focus on "lexical semantics", or word meanings (as opposed to sentence meanings).
"Meaning" has been interpreted in many different ways at different times and in different fields. In this class, we will pursue a social-cognitive approach to meaning: we will assume that a word meaning represents a category in the mind of a speaker (that is, that the word "table" relates to a category of objects describable of "tables", and that this category is represented mentally by English speakers). These categories, in turn, develop and are transmitted in a cultural context: that is, category systems represented in the words of a language belong to speech communities rather than just individual speakers.
This claim implies that speakers of different languages / members of different cultures operate with different conceptual systems. This view is not uncontroversial, and throughout the course we will discuss evidence for and against this position.
Work
See schedule for due dates.
Grades will be assigned as follows:
Late homework policy: homework that is turned in later than the day on which it was due and before the last day of class, without prior arrangement or medical excuse, will receive 50% credit.
Contact information
Dr. Susanna Cumming
Schedule & download handouts