An Introduction to English Semantics and Pragmatics

This textbook offers a thorough introduction to semantics and pragmatics, ideal for students new to English linguistics. An Introduction to English Semantics and Pragmatics covers essential concepts and contemporary research.

This insightful textbook serves as a comprehensive introduction to the linguistic study of meaning, focusing on both semantics and pragmatics within the English language. An Introduction to English Semantics and Pragmatics delves into the meaning potential of English, exploring how language knowledge is effectively utilized in various contexts. The book is designed to cater to undergraduate students who are venturing into English linguistics for the first time, providing a compact yet thorough overview of essential concepts.

The new edition of this classic text revitalizes its content for a contemporary audience, featuring expanded coverage of key areas such as figurative language, compositional meaning, and quantification. Real-life examples drawn from diverse sources illustrate pivotal concepts, including the use of novel metaphors and metonyms by speakers. Additionally, the inclusion of exercises enhances understanding and reinforces the material, while thorough signposting directs readers to current research in semantics and pragmatics.

An Introduction to English Semantics and Pragmatics encompasses a wide range of topics, from word meaning to discourse level, ensuring a comprehensive treatment of contemporary linguistic research. Chapters address various aspects of meaning, including adjectives, nouns, verbs, tense, aspect, modality, and more. With clear explanations of entailment, compositionality, and scope, this textbook equips students with the necessary tools to engage with and analyze meaning in English effectively.