This introduction is concerned with the semantics of natural languages. The text examines what issues semantics, as a theory of meaning, should address: determining what the meanings of words of the language are and how to semantically combine elements of a language to build up complex meanings. Logical languages are then developed as formal metalanguages to natural language. Subsequent chapters address propositional logic, the syntax and semantics of (first-order) predicate logic as an extension of propositional logic, and generalized quantifier theory. Going beyond extensional theory, de Swart relativizes the interpretation of expressions to times to account for verbal tense, time adverbials, and temporal connectives, and introduces possible worlds to modal intensions, modal adverbs, and modal auxiliaries.

Book Information
ISBN 9781575861388
Author Henriktte de Swart
Format Paperback
Page Count 271
Imprint Centre for the Study of Language & Information
Publisher Centre for the Study of Language & Information
Weight(grams) 370g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 152mm * 17mm