Understanding Semantics (Understanding Language) [Paperback]

Sebastian Loebner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0340731982 | ISBN-13: 978-0340731987

Understanding Semantics offers an up-to-date, broad and thorough introduction to linguistic semantics, the field of linguistic meaning central to the understanding of language. The book takes a step-by-step approach, starting with the basic concepts and moving through central questions to an examination of the methods and results of the science of linguistic meaning.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Understanding Semantics is an original and innovative resource for introductory courses on linguistic semantics, excelling in particular in consciousness and accessilbily of presentation. -- Linguistics 43-2 20050501 "Lobner's book is strongly recommended and is best seen as a starting point in one's inquiry into what semantics comprises." -- Luna Filipovic Kleiner, Journal of Pragmatics 20050501

About the Author

Sebastian Loebner is at University of Dusseldorf.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Hodder Education Publishers (June 27, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340731982
• ISBN-13: 978-0340731987
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,456,881 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A truely intriguing introduction!, April 12, 2010

By 

David Gerards (Zürich, Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Understanding Semantics (Understanding Language) (Paperback)

First of all, reading a book - of whatever subject - and liking it, basically requires one thing: interest in its topic. This may sound trivial but with regard to the previous comment it seems anything but self-evident. No offense [really!], but as far as I can see it the previous review has been written by someone who is not at all eager to truly understand the contents of Loebner's work.

Fair enough, semantics is one of the more difficult subfields of our discipline, but isn't it exactly THIS what makes it so fascinating? If your answer to this question is 'yes', the acquisition of this volume might be an option for you to consider. If it's 'no' you should probably refrain from commenting negatively. Imagine I say: 'This meat tastes horrible.' A person who doesn't know my nutritional habits will probably deduce that the meat is of inferior quality...Logical, huh? Taking into consideration, however, that I am a vegetarian my comment is to be viewed entirely different. There ya go...;-)

Back to the book: It comes well-structured into ten chapters, which are, contrary to what has been said before, a pleasure to read. A jovial and cheerful tone encourages the lecture; a wide variety of examples complete the theoretical part. [Has the first reviewer reviewed the right book?? And if so, did he read it??]

Some passages might appear a little redundant, if only occasionally, but that doesn't - by no means - narrow the density of Loebner's work. And this is, after all, an introductory work, aimed at students who have no or only little previous knowledge of semantics. So, probably better to say something twice than explaining to briefly, right?

Anways, a great book that has kindled my interst to further pursue semantics! Totally recommendable.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars drier than Melbourne water catchments, September 17, 2007

By 

e_ting "e_ting" (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding Semantics (Understanding Language) (Paperback)

Ok, so semantics isn't the sexiest thing in linguistics (if you think it is, you might like this book), so could they really make it any drier? Hardly any examples, boring tone, unclear explanations... pure sleep-inducing material. I wish someone would write a better semantics text - I might have slept less and gotten a higher grade...