Semantics in Generative Grammar (Blackwell Textbooks in Linguistics, 13) [Hardcover]

Irene Heim (Author), Angelika Kratzer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0631197125 | ISBN-13: 978-0631197126 | Publication Date: January 7, 1998 | Edition: 1

Written by two of the leading figures in the field, this is a lucid and systematic introduction to formal semantics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The reader gets the immediate impression that they are being invited to contribute to real work, which is inspiring. The style is easy to read and the exposition of many difficult and confusing topics is very clear. Semantics in Generative Grammer is really an advanced introduction, and is a good example of how advanced-level texts should be organized...essential reading" Jennifer Spenader, University of Groningen, The Netherlands

"This elegant and thorough text will take the reader through many of the advances in linguistic semantics during the past 25 years of generative grammar. It is a fine achievement by two of the most prominent researchers, and teachers, of the subject." James Higginbotham, University of Oxford

"This book shows that natural language semantics has reached its maturity. A careful and enlightening discussion guides the reader through the intricacies of argument structure, quantification, and binding, some of the very central topics in semantics and in the syntax/semantics interface. Traditional techniques from logic are presented in a way aimed at bringing out what is really important to the study of language. An excellent introduction for the linguist-to-be." Gennaro Chierchia, University of Milan

"This superb new introduction to formal semantics in linguistic theory helps and invites teh serious beginner to think through arguments among potential alternatives right from the start. It's a great textbook." Barbara Partee, University of Massachusetts

From the Back Cover

Written by two of the leading figures in the field, this is a lucid and systematic introduction to semantics as applied to transformational grammars of the "Government-Binding" model. It covers the fundamental constructions thoroughly with analyses, but goes well beyond that core, providing extensive discussion of quantification, binding and anaphora, and ellipsis.

With exercises and guides to further reading, the volume will be a key text for graduate level and advanced undergraduate introductory courses in semantics.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 324 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (January 7, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631197125
• ISBN-13: 978-0631197126
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,722,724 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good as review for sematicists; Bad as a textbook, March 21, 2007

By 

Grad Student (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Semantics in Generative Grammar (Blackwell Textbooks in Linguistics) (Paperback)

This would probably serve as an excellent review for those who have studied semantics and need to be reminded/updated on important topics. As a textbook for novices, though, it is very poor. The text is not written with ease of reading in mind (technical formulas are frequently used to explain points that would be much better explained in words). Technical terms are used without definitions, and the excercises require the reader to have not only understood the material completely, but to have read between the lines and filled in the gaps in the explanations. There are many typos and there are structural problems as well (use of endnotes instead of footnotes, no comprehensive biliography...). If you have already done quite a lot of semantics, this book may be of use to you; if you are thinking of using it as a class text or as a way to teach yourself this subject, look elsewhere.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If only I read this book earlier, October 30, 2008

By 

M. E. Kluck - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Semantics in Generative Grammar (Blackwell Textbooks in Linguistics) (Paperback)

This is a must-read for anyone with an advanced interest in semantics/syntax. If you're looking for an introduction to semantics and have no background at all, I'd combine this book with for instance De Swarts' introduction to semantics. This text is suitable for graduate students.