Introducing Semantics

Semantics is the study of meaning in language. This clear and comprehensive textbook provides an introduction to the subject for undergraduate students. It not only equips students with the concepts they need in order to understand the main aspects of semantics it also introduces the styles of reasoning and argument which characterise the field. It contains more than 200 exercises and discussion questions designed to test and deepen readers'' understanding. More inclusive than other textbooks it clearly explains and contrasts different theoretical approaches summarises current debates and provides helpful suggestions for further reading. Examples are drawn both from major world languages such as Mandarin Chinese Japanese Arabic Spanish and English and from minority ones. The book also highlights the connections between semantics and the wider study of human language in psychology anthropology and linguistics itself.