Time Schedule:
Toshiyuki Ogihara
LING 580
Seattle Campus
Advanced study in current theories of syntax, semantics, phonology, or morphology. Can be repeated for credit.
Class description
Spring 2001 -
This course discusses some fundamental questions in formal semantics: How shall we deal with cross-linguistic variation in semantics? Are there semantic parameters as some researchers suggest? Since the birth of natural language semantics in the early 70s, research in this area centered on English and other European languages that are genetically and typologically related to English. Recently, however, some researchers such as Bittner and Chierchia started to ask important questions about how the cross- linguistic differences that do exist should or can be captured in a formal semantic framework. One obvious move is to accept a "parametric variation" in semantics familiar from work in formal syntax. What we will do in this course is to test the validity of this idea by examining some relevant data. The student who wants to take this course should at least have taken Semantics I (Ling 442). A paper is required at the end of the term.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
A paper is required at the end of the quarter.
