Lexical Semantics (U00368)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : PPL-3-LEXS-EL

The course is divided into two parts. In the first part, students are introduced to a way of studying word meaning within a more general theory of the mental lexicon. In this section, we look at what word meaning is; what the lexicon is; how to probe word meaning; evidence for structure in word meaning; polysemy; the lexical semantics of causation; and a typology of events. In the second part, we look at more focused problems. Is there a relationship between different classes of events or event types and aktionsarten? How are transitivity alternations a way of probing the verbal lexicon? How should argument linking be understood? What is the different between a "construction" and an articulated account of lexical meaning? The first part of the course is designed as preparation for the second part.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Pass in English Language 2 OR Linguistics 2A and 2B OR Linguistics 2A and 2L.

? Prohibited combinations : This course may not be taken by students who have taken the course it replaces.

? Costs : None

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Language Sciences, (School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, Schedule I)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 9 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
14/01/2009	09:00	10:00			Rm 1.17 Dugald Stewart Building

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Wednesday	09:00	09:50	Central
Lecture	Friday	09:00	10:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : Rm 1.17 Dugald Stewart Building

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

To give students the knowledge and analytical skills in lexical semantic theory which will enable them to analyse the structures of English that present challenges to the analysis of meaning. The course is intended to provide students with the knowledge and skills in lexical semantics appropriate to an Honours graduate in English language. Students should be able to progress to more specialised study in semantics from this course; in addition, they should be equipped to explore semantic interfaces with syntax and morphology in independent work. The course is therefore also designed to motivate and equip students to undertake more advanced work in lexcial semantics with respect to the structures of English.