Words and Meaning

Level: 7
Credit Rating: 30
Code: EGL7101
Tutor: Mark Addis

Aims

Semantics aims to equip students with the skills, insights and appropriate theoretical approaches necessary to analyse and describe essential concepts in semantic theory along with increasing appreciation of their applications. An ability to analyse and criticise arguments involving the employment of semantic concepts will be developed. The module will further understanding of the nature and limitations of semantic theory and its value for gaining insight into how language functions. Core concepts pertaining to sense and reference are explored in conjunction with ideas about denotation and semantics fields. Students will be encouraged to consider the extent to which truth conditional approaches to language are informative and what contribution speech act theory can make.

Indicative Content

Words:Reference, sense, denotation, connotation and style, semantic fields and sense-components; linguistic relativism and determinism

Propositions compared with sentences: truth-conditions

Types of inference: entailment, deductions involving quantifiers, induction, presupposition, implicature

Speech-act analysis of utterance-meaning

Pragmatics and indirectness: Grice’s maxims; relevance, irony and the like

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to understand basic concepts in semantic theory.

Learning and Teaching Strategy

For all the modules on this programme, the module handbook guides the student through relevant topics in conjunction with recommended reading. The handbook includes exercises, which encourage the students to reflect on and interact with the knowledge they are acquiring. Students may contact the module tutor at any point for support during their learning experience, using post, email or telephone as appropriate.

Assessment Strategy

Students complete two essays on a theoretical topic chosen from a specified list. Each element of assessment should not exceed 2000 words (or equivalent).

Assessment Criteria

Show understanding of concepts (Learning Outcome 1)

Method of Feedback To Students

Written feedback is provided to all students on both formative and summative assignments.During the course of the module, informal feedback may be provided by email or telephone discussion as appropriate.

Learning Resources

Essential Textbook
Saeed, J (1997/2003) Semantics, Blackwell

Further Reading
Beck A, et al. (2004) Communication Studies: the Essential Resource, Routledge
Cruse, D (2004) Meaning in Language: an Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics, OUP
Hofmann, Th (1993) Realms of Meaning, Longman
Jackson, H (1988) Words and their Meaning, Longman
Kempson, R (1977) Semantic Theory, CUP
Kreidler, C (1998) Introducing English Semantics, Routledge
Lyons, J (1995) Linguistic Semantics, CUP
Lyons, J (1977) Semantics, CUP
Peccei, J S (1999) Pragmatics, Routledge
Thomas, J (1995) Meaning in Interaction, Longman