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Semantic Approaches to Syntax

Vak
2012-2013

Admission requirements

BA-diploma

Course Description

The first part is more theoretical and centers around the question of how can one analyze syntax from a semantic or functional point of view. What different approaches exist, and what are the strong and weak points of these approaches? What are the basic (philosophical) ideas about language underlying these models or approaches? Furthermore, how do they differ from non-semantic (purely syntactic) approaches to syntax? This question will be addressed by reading papers on various topics.
The second part of the class will focus on one (or more) specific topic or a particular construction. This part will involve both reading and analysis of literature, and a small research based on a corpus. The languages that will be investigated depend on the background of the student.

Course objectives

(i) General overview of different semantic approaches to syntax (e.g. structuralism, construction grammar, cognitive linguistics, philosophy of language)
(ii) Insight into a number of specific linguistic constructions/phenomena (e.g. word order, wh-movement, etc.)
(iii) Ability to do research on this topic by using a corpus.

Timetable

See timetable Linguistics
See timetable Russian Studies

Mode of instruction

Class

Assessment method

  • Four assignments (together 1/3 of the final grade)

  • Paper (2/3 of final grade)

  • Each student will give (at least) one presentation (this is obligatory but not graded)

Blackboard

This is a Blackboard-supported course

Reading list

To be announced

Registration

Through uSis

Contact information

Dr. E.L.J. Fortuin