Einführung in die formale Semantik/ Introduction to formal semantics (Summer 2022)

Time & Location:

Lecture/Vorlesung: Monday 10:15 – 11:45 in Gebäude B3 2 / HÖRSAAL 0.03

Exercises/Übung: Wednesday 08:30 – 10:00 in Gebäude B3 2 / HÖRSAAL 0.03


Instructors: Dr Volha Petukhova, Nicolaie Dominik Dascalu

***ANNOUNCEMENTS***

Registration CLOSED

Please join the course MS Team

Study Program: Bachelor CoLi and BA Language Science (WP2)

Description:
This course introduces the basic concepts and formal tools to compute the meaning of natural language expressions. In particular the topics include

  • first order predicate logic (review)
  • modal and temporal logic
  • event semantics
  • type theory, extensional as well as intensional
  • lambda abstraction and lambda conversion
  • the relationship between syntactic and semantic structure
Prerequisites:

Mathematical Foundations: Logic or good working knowledge of first order predicate logic

Organisation:

The course carries 6 credits. To get these credits you have to pass a written exam (90 min).
There is a deadline for registering for the written exam 11.07.2022

Basic reading:

Coppock, E., and Champollion, L. (2021). Invitation to formal semantics. Manuscript, Boston University and New York University

Additional reading:

Winter, Y. (2016). Elements of formal semantics: An introduction to the mathematical theory of meaning in natural language. Edinburgh University Press.
L.T.F. Gamut, Logic, Language, and Meaning, Vol. 2: Intensional Logic and Logical Grammar. U of Chicago Press, 1991.

Exercise tool: Lambda Calculator

Detailed Plan of Lectures and Tutorials

Introduction

Lecture (20.04.2022):

1. Meaning and Form

Lecture (25.04.2022)

Reading:
Winter, Y. (2016). Elements of formal semantics: An introduction to the mathematical theory of meaning in natural language. Edinburgh University Press. (Ch. 1)
Coppock, E., and Champollion, L. (2021). Invitation to formal semantics. Manuscript, Boston University and New York University (Ch.1)

2. Inference

Reading:
Coppock, E., and Champollion, L. (2021). Invitation to formal semantics. Manuscript, Boston University and New York University (Ch.1)

3. Predication and Argumentation

Lecture (09.05.2022)
Tutorial (11.05.2022)

Reading:
Coppock, E., and Champollion, L. (2021). Invitation to formal semantics. Manuscript, Boston University and New
York University (Ch.4)

4. Typed Lambda

Lecture (16.05.2022)
Tutorial (18.05.2022)

Reading:
Coppock, E., and Champollion, L. (2021). Invitation to formal semantics. Manuscript, Boston University and New York University (Ch.5)

5. Function Application

Lecture (23.05.2022) SIDES
Tutorial (25.05.2022) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 5 (deadline 31.05.2022 at 4pm)

Reading:
Coppock, E., and Champollion, L. (2021). Invitation to formal semantics. Manuscript, Boston University and New
York University (Ch.6)

6. Beyond Function Application

Lecture (30.05.2022) SLIDES
Tutorial (01.06.2022) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 6 (deadline 07.06.2022 at 4pm)

Reading:
Coppock, E., and Champollion, L. (2021). Invitation to formal semantics. Manuscript, Boston University and New York University (Ch.7)
NOTE

06.06.2022 No Lecture due to Whit Monday
08.06.2022 Tutorial: Function Application and Beyond

7. Presupposition

Lecture (13.06.2022) Lecture (13.06.2022) SLIDES (updated correcting typos at slide 20)
Tutorial (15.06.2022) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 7 (deadline 21.06.2022 at 4pm)

Reading:
Coppock, E., and Champollion, L. (2021). Invitation to formal semantics. Manuscript, Boston University and New York University (Ch.10)

8. Modal & Intensional Logic

Lecture (20.06.2022) SLIDES
Tutorial (22.06.2022) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 8 (deadline 28.06.2022 at 4pm)

Reading:
Coppock, E., and Champollion, L. (2021). Invitation to formal semantics. Manuscript, Boston University and New York University (Ch.13)
Von Fintel, K., & Heim, I. (2011). Intensional semantics. Unpublished Lecture Notes.

9. Tense & Aspect

Lecture (27.06.2022)
HANDOUTS
Tutorial (29.06.2022) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 9 (deadline 05.07.2022 at 4pm)

Reading:
Coppock, E., and Champollion, L. (2021). Invitation to formal semantics. Manuscript, Boston University and New York University (Ch.12.4-12.6)

10. Event semantics

Lecture (04.07.2022) SLIDES
HANDOUTS (ISO set of semantic role with definitions)
Tutorial (06.07.2022) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 10 (deadline 12.07.2022 at 4pm)

Reading:
Coppock, E., and Champollion, L. (2021). Invitation to formal semantics. Manuscript, Boston University and New York University (Ch.11)

RECAP

Lecture (11.07.2022) SLIDES
Tutorial (13.07.2022): Exam preparation (Probeklausur)
HILFEBLATT

For any questions, please send an email to:
v.petukhova@lsv.uni-saarland.de
Use subject tag: [IFS_22]