Semantics (Introducing Linguistics) [Paperback]

John I. Saeed (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1405156392 | ISBN-13: 978-1405156394 | Publication Date: December 23, 2008 | Edition: 3

The third edition of this popular textbook provides an engaging and accessible introduction to semantics for students new to the field.

• Explores the basic concepts and methods of the field and discusses some of the most important contemporary lines of research
• Contains new solutions to chapter exercises in order to familiarize the student with the practice of semantic description
• Completely revised and updated to reflect recent theoretical developments
• Includes new sections on classifiers and noun classes, as well as conceptual integration

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This book is an invaluable resource for students and instructors. It offers impressively broad coverage of semantic theory, and it strikes an ideal balance between theoretical developments and empirical investigation.”
Christopher Potts, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

“This lively and engaging book provides an excellent introduction to current linguistic semantics.
Its coverage is comprehensive, taking readers from foundational concepts, through descriptive techniques, to theoretical approaches to the subject. The use of languages other than English to exemplify the discussion is particularly refreshing, and this revised edition will continue to provide teachers with a clear and easy to use textbook, and students with a solid foundation in semantics.”
Ronnie Cann, Edinburgh University

Book Description

This book provides an engaging introduction to semantics for students new to the field. It covers the basic concepts and methods of the field and discusses some of the most important contemporary lines of research. Semantics is divided into three parts: the first establishes the place of semantics within linguistics and its relationship to other disciplines. The second introduces key topics in the description of word and sentence meaning. The final part reviews the three main current theoretical approaches to semantics: componential theory, formal semantics, and cognitive semantics. Each chapter contains exercises that familiarize the student with the practice of semantic description. The second edition of this classic work is a complete revision that updates and extends the discussion of theories and is a vital resource for students of semantics. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 3 edition (December 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405156392
• ISBN-13: 978-1405156394
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accessible and easy to read, September 11, 2009

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SF linguist - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Semantics (Introducing Linguistics) (Paperback)

This book is a great intro book to semantics. It has clear examples and explanations. Definitely recommended for beginners or anyone interested in semantics!

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Can you say cryptic?, November 22, 2010

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Pipe_Nerd - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Semantics (Introducing Linguistics) (Paperback)

If I recall correctly, Saeed writes in his intro that this book does not assume any real prior knowledge of semantics. This, however, must be a cruel joke on his part, because I (read: student with some linguistic experience) found this book to be dense, cryptic, snobbish, and generally inaccessible. Granted, semantics isn't really a pick-up-and-go subject, but I can't help but feel that the book is awfully heavy for an ostensible "introduction".