Compositional Semantics

Catalog description

Model-theoretic approaches to the study of the semantics of natural languages. Develops the tools necessary for an understanding of classic formal semantic results in linguistics and in philosophy (lambda calculus, intensional logic, Montague's treatment of quantification, etc.), These tools are then applied to detailed descriptions of natural language semantics, including binding and pronouns, modification, scope, focus etc. as well as other recent developments in semantic theory. Prerequisite: some familiarity with syntax or semantics or basic set theory and logic.