The goal of this lecture is (i) to offer a precise background on the construction of meaning in terms of modern semantic theory (cf. especially Heim & Kratzer); (ii) to consider how composition in the meaning of words and phrases can change over time (see Eckardt 2006). The primary focus will be on English; however, time permitting, shorter comparisons with other languages will be conducted.
References:
Beck, S. & R. Gergel. 2014. Contrasting English and German Grammar: An Introduction to Syntax and Semantics. Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter Mouton.
Eckardt, R. 2006. Eckardt, R. 2006. Meaning Change in Grammaticalization: an enquiry into semantic reanalysis. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Heim, Irene and Angelika Kratzer (1998): Semantics in Generative Grammar. Oxford: Blackwell.
Portner, Paul. (2005). What is Meaning – Fundamentals of Formal Semantics. Oxford: Blackwell. |
