Semantics (Palgrave Modern Linguistics)

This is an introductory textbook in semantics for lower level undergraduates, including extensive end of chapter exercises and suggestions for further reading. The main aim of the book is to provide a good understanding of a range of semantic phenomena and issues in semantics, adopting a truth conditional account of meaning, but without using a compositional formalism. The book assumes no particular background in linguistics or philosophy, and all the technical tools used are explained as they are introduced. The style aims to be accessible, with numerous examples.

the Main Aim Of The Book Is To Provide A Good Understanding Of A Range Of Semantic Phenomena And Issues In Semantics, Adopting A Truth-conditional Account Of Meaning, But Without Using A Compositional Formalism. The Book Assumes No Particular Background In Linguistics Of Philosophy, And All The Technical Tools Used Are Explained As They Are Introduced. They Style Is Accessible, With Numerous Examples.

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an Introduction To Topics In Formal Semantics, Written In An Accessible Style That Assumes No Prior Knowledge Of Linguistics Or Philosophy. Provides An Understanding Of A Range Of Semantic Phenomena And Issues In Semantics, Adopting A Truth-conditional Account Of Meaning, But Without Using A Detailed Compositional Formalism. Topics Covered Include Modality And Possible Worlds, Counterfactuals, Generalized Quantifiers, Event Semantics, And Tense And Aspect. Includes Numerous Practical Examples. Kearns Teaches Linguistics At The University Of Canterbury, New Zealand. Annotation C. Book News, Inc., Portland, Or (booknews.com)

The main aim of the book is to provide a good understanding of a range of semantic phenomena and issues in semantics, adopting a truth-conditional account of meaning, but without using a compositional formalism. The book assumes no particular background in linguistics of philosophy, and all the technical tools used are explained as they are introduced. They style is accessible, with numerous examples. The main aim of the book is to provide a good understanding of a range of semantic phenomena and issues in semantics, adopting a truth-conditional account of meaning, but without using a compositional formalism. The book assumes no particular background in linguistics of philosophy, and all the technical tools used are explained as they are introduced. They style is accessible, with numerous examples. Cover......Page 1 MODERN LINGUISTICS SERIES......Page 3 Title......Page 4 ISBN......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 11 Preface......Page 12 1 Introduction......Page 14 2 First Order Logic......Page 38 3 Modality and Possible Worlds......Page 65 4 Natural Language Quantifiers......Page 80 5 Definite Descriptions......Page 106 6 Indefinite Descriptions, Plurals, Generics and Mass NPs......Page 133 7 Tense and Aspect......Page 161 8 Events......Page 189 9 Aspectual Classes of Events......Page 213 10 Thematic Roles Reviewed......Page 241 11 Implicature and Explicature......Page 267 FURTHER READING......Page 298 Bibliography......Page 299 Index......Page 308 Providing a good understanding of a range of semantic phenomena and issues in semantics, this is an introductory level textbook for lower level undergraduates. It includes end of chapter exercises and suggestions for further reading