Semantic Structures is a large-scale study of conceptual structure and its lexical and syntactic expression in English that builds on the system of Conceptual Semantics described in Ray Jackendoff's earlier books. Jackendoff summarizes the relevant arguments in his two previous books, setting out the basic parameters for the formalization of meaning, and comparing his mentalistic approach with Fodor's Language of Thought hypothesis. He then takes up the Problem of Meaning, extending the range of semantic fields encompassed by the Conceptual Semantics formalism, and the Problem of Correspondence, formalizing the relation between semantic and syntactic structure
Semantics is an accessible and practical introduction to formal semantics, the study of linguistic meaning, for students new to the subject. Semantics:* shows how meanings are built up and interrelated* presupposes very little prior knowledge of grammar or linguistic terminology * includes a glossary of technical terms* provides a progression of exercises with answers given at the back * backs up the activities with short, clear explanations* includes an appendix on sets and functions.
Philosophy of language is one of the hardest areas for the beginning student; it is full of difficult questions technical arguments, and jargon. Written in a straightforward and explanatory way and filled with examples, this text provides a comprehensive introduction to the field, suitable for students with no background in the philosophy of language or formal logic.
Global Englishes in Asian Contexts: Current and Future Debates
This volume explores the current issues in World Englishes/ELF specifically in relation to the Asian context. The international contributors are all prominent names in the field, taking on a wide variety of issues both in applied linguistics and sociolinguistics, and address not only the current state of affairs, but the future too. See all Editorial Reviews
Semantic Primes and Universal Grammar: Empirical evidence from the Romance languages
This volume is part of a research program which started with the publication, in 1972, of Anna Wierzbicka’s groundbreaking work on Semantic Primitives. The first within the program to focus on a number of typologically similar languages, it proposes a French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian version of the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) elaborated over the years by Wierzbicka and colleagues. Repetition is avoided through teamwork: a number of authors working on the languages under examination have had equal input in a set of five papers dealing with distinct parts of the metalanguage.
