LING6930Language and Meaning

Course handbook

Description

The course focuses on the study of the analysis of meaning as it is expressed through elements of language such as words and sentences (the field of semantics) and as it is understood in different real world contexts (the field of pragmatics). Particular attention will be paid to meaning relations such as synonym (having the same meaning) and oppositeness, to various types of conclusions that sentences lead to or involve (such as presuppositions), to elements that crucially depend on context for their interpretation (including deictic elements, which are linked to the non-linguistic context), to the meaning of verbal categories such as tense and mood, and to the relation between language and logic.

Availability2024 Course Timetables

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of meaning as expressed through language;

2. Identify the basic principles of semantics and pragmatics;

3. Categorise the range of linguistic devices for expressing time and space relations;

4. Explain the concepts of deixis and anaphora;

5. Analyse logical relations relevant to linguistics, such as negation, modality, scope, presupposition and implication.

Content

Topics to be covered include:

• Deixis: reference to the spatio-temporal frame encompassing the speech act
• Tense and time reference: tense and aspect systems in the English verb
• Mood and modality
• Anaphora: textual reference; the function of pronouns and other anaphoric items
• Pragmatics: the study of speech acts; presupposition and implication

Assumed knowledge

LING6910 (or equivalent)

Assessment items

Written Assignment: Written Assignment 1

Essay: Essay 2

Written Assignment: Written Assignment 2

Contact hours

Semester 2 - 2024 - Callaghan

Semester 2 - 2024 - Online

Course outline

Course outline not yet available.