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What is Meaning?

Fundamentals of Formal Semantics
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
What is Meaning? Fundamentals of Formal Semantics offers a concise introduction to semantics as it is practised today. Paul H. Portner explains key ideas and significant results in modern semantic theory using simple examples, pictures, and metaphors. The book avoids heavy formalisation, making complex linguistic phenomena accessible and engaging while illuminating how language conveys meaning.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$6899
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for advanced undergraduates, beginning graduate students, and anyone interested in gaining a clear, intuitive grasp of formal semantics without requiring extensive technical background.

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What is Meaning? Fundamentals of Formal Semantics is a concise introduction to the field of semantics as it is actually practiced. Through simple examples, pictures, and metaphors, Paul Portner presents the field's key ideas about how language works.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

What is Meaning? Fundamentals of Formal Semantics is a concise introduction to the field of semantics as it is actually practised. The book explains the fundamental ideas and some of the most significant results of modern semantic theory in an intuitive, engaging manner without relying on formalisation or getting bogged down in technical skills.

Through simple examples, pictures, and metaphors, Paul Portner presents the field's key ideas about how language works. By combining foundational discussion with simplified analyses of complex phenomena, What is Meaning? provides readers with a sense of the fascination to be found in the details of human language.

Series: Fundamentals of Linguistics

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  • What is Morphology?
    Provides a critical introduction to the central ideas and perennial problems of morphology, fully revised and updated in a new edition What is Morphology? is a concise, student-friendly introduction to the fundamentals of contemporary morphological theory and practice. Requiring only a basic knowledge of linguistics, this popular textbook describes morphological phenomena and their interactions with phonology, syntax, and semantics while...
    Paperback
    $8799
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • What is Meaning?
    What is Meaning? Fundamentals of Formal Semantics is a concise introduction to the field of semantics as it is actually practised. The book explains the fundamental ideas and some of the most significant results of modern semantic theory in an intuitive, engaging manner without relying on formalisation or getting bogged down in technical skills. Through simple examples, pictures, and metaphors,...
    Paperback
    $6899
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Kai von Fintel, Massachusetts Institute of Technology: β€œAn excellent book for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students. Portner’s approachable, yet serious, presentation gives the reader a firm understanding of the breadth and depth of the science of natural language meaning.”

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781405109185

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 10 December 2004

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Wiley-Blackwell

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 155.0mm

Height: 231.0mm

Weight: 386g

Pages: 256

About the Author

Paul H. Portner is Associate Professor of Linguistics and Director of the Interdisciplinary Program in Cognitive Science at Georgetown University. He is co-editor of Formal Semantics: The Essential Readings (with Barbara H. Partee, Blackwell, 2002) as well as the author of numerous articles on topics such as mood and modality, tense and aspect, and the syntax/semantics interface.

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