Einführung in die formale Semantik/ Introduction to formal semantics (Summer 2023)

Time & Location:

Lecture/Vorlesung: TBA

Exercises/Übung: TBA

Instructors: Dr Volha Petukhova, Nicolaie Dominik Dascalu

***ANNOUNCEMENTS***

Registration TBA

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 TBA

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 ():
SLIDES
HANDOUTS

1. Meaning and Form

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

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

4. Typed Lambda

Lecture () SLIDES
Tutorial () EXERCISE SHEET Nr4 (deadline …)

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

5. Function Application

Lecture () SLIDES
Tutorial () EXERCISE SHEET Nr 5 (deadline …)

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 () SLIDES
Tutorial () EXERCISE SHEET Nr 6 (deadline)

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

7. Presupposition

Lecture () SLIDES
Tutorial () EXERCISE SHEET Nr 7 (deadline …)

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 () SLIDES
Tutorial () EXERCISE SHEET Nr 8 (deadline…)

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 () SLIDES
HANDOUTS
Tutorial () EXERCISE SHEET Nr 9 (deadline …)

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 () SLIDES
HANDOUTS
Tutorial () EXERCISE SHEET Nr 10 (deadline …)

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

RECAP

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

For any questions, please send an email to:
v.petukhova@lsv.uni-saarland.de
Use subject tag: [IFS_23]