“The logic of ordinary speech provides a field of intellectual study unsurpassed in richness, complexity, and the power to absorb.” (P.F. Strawson)
The goal of semantic theory is to give a precise characterization of the meanings expressible in natural language and of how they are encoded in syntactic structure. Philosophers and logicians have been concerned with these questions since antiquity, and analytical philosophy of the past two centuries has pursued them with unprecedented vigor and success. In the course of the last few decades, this research tradition has been taken over by linguists. With the rapid progress of generative linguistics, it became increasingly inappropriate to theorize about the relation between meaning and structure on the basis of lay conceptions of grammar instead of building on the results of the scientific study of syntax. Today, it is no longer possible to work on the cutting edge of semantic research without a solid background in both linguistics and philosophical logic. The conceptual and formal apparatus that was developed when semantics was the domain of philosophers remains as indispensible as ever, and it must be employed in conjunction with up- to-date knowledge of syntactic theory and its growing basis of cross- linguistic empirical evidence. The area of specialization program in semantics is designed to offer this kind of training.
Faculty
Emeritus Faculty
Relevant Faculty in Philosophy
Curriculum
Students choosing semantics as their Area of Specialization take five advanced-level courses beyond those required by the Common Curriculum. They will also participate in a research forum/discussion group on syntax and semantics.
Required Courses
- Pragmatics in Linguistic Theory (24.954)
- In addition to the Common Curriculum requirement of “an advanced subject with research-paper requirement in syntax/semantics”, an additional advanced subject in the other area covered by this requirement, so that a student in the semantics program will have completed an advanced subject in both semantics (e.g. 24.979) and syntax (e.g. 24.956).
- Three advanced courses in areas outside linguistics (brain and cognitive sciences, philosophy, logic, mathematics, computer science, etc.) that are relevant to linguistic semantics. Particular choices should be discussed with an advisor.
Note about alternative options
A student may also propose an alternative course of study to satisfy the Area of Specialization requirement, if it is clear that the alternative better suits their specific interests. The alternative program should be similar in size and scope to those listed above. This option has proven useful, for example, for students who want to include an extensive fieldwork component in their program, students who want to supplement their linguistic research with training in a related field, or students whose core interests cross subdisciplinary boundaries within linguistics. Individualized proposals of this sort must be approved by the faculty.
This is applicable to the semantics specialization as well. Students might for example propose a set of three further advanced classes in syntax/morphology/phonology that would support their work on semantics and its interfaces.
Syntax-Semantics Reading Group
All students in the program that have completed the first two years are expected to attend and actively participate in the Syntax-Semantics Reading Group (also known as the “LF Reading Group”), a weekly forum in which students give informal presentations on their own research and on recent literature about the syntax-semantics interface. The readings will be selected by the participants. Active participation is required for third year students, but is highly recommended also for fourth and fifth year students. Students should start attending in their third or fourth semester.