Meaning in English
An Introduction

A lively, up-to-date and compact introduction to semantics, accessible to those with no prior knowledge of linguistics.

Javier Valenzuela (Author)

9781107096370, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 27 April 2017

202 pages
25.4 x 18 x 1.8 cm, 0.73 kg

This lively, compact textbook introduces readers to semantics - the study of how we construct meaning in communication. Easy to follow, and with a clear structure, it explains formal terminology in a simple and understandable way, without using formal notation or logic, and draws on dozens of examples from up-to-date empirical research findings. Offering a tight integration of classic semantic issues with cognitive science, Javier Valenzuela provides a complete and coherent overview of the main topics in this area, including a review of the empirical methods used in semantic theorizing, and discussions of both non-traditional and new topics, such as how meaning is acquired by children and how meaning is constructed cross-linguistically. Featuring illustrations, exercises, activities, suggestions for further reading, highlighted key terms, and a comprehensive glossary, this book is accessible to beginners and undergraduates, including those from non-linguistic backgrounds with no prior knowledge of linguistic analysis. It will be an essential resource for courses in English language, English studies, linguistics and the cognitive sciences.

1. What is semantics?
2. Analyzing meaning
3. Language and thought
4. Word meaning
5. Meaning relations
6. Acquisition of meaning and cross-linguistic meaning
7. Figurative meaning
8. Sentential meaning
9. Discourse meaning and pragmatics.

Subject Areas: Language self-study texts [CJBT], Language teaching theory & methods [CJA], Semantics, discourse analysis, etc [CFG], Linguistics [CF]