Einführung in die formale Semantik/ Introduction to formal semantics (Summer 2024)

Time & Location:

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

Exercises/Übung
Group 1: Mi 10:15 – 11:45 Gebäude C7 2 / Seminarraum -1.05
Group 2: Do 14:15 – 15:45 Gebäude C7 2 / Seminarraum -1.05

Instructors: Dr Volha Petukhova, Nicolaie Dominik Dascalu

***ANNOUNCEMENTS***

Veranstaltungsnr. in LSF 148358

Please join the course MS Team

All class material will be published in Teams!

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

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. 1-2)
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 (13.05.2024)
Tutorial Group 1 (15.05.2024) EXERCISE SHEET Nr3 (deadline 14.05.2024)
Tutorial Group 2 (16.05.2024) EXERCISE SHEET Nr3 (deadline 14.05.2024)

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

5. No Lecture (20.05.2024) Pfingstmontag

Tutorial Group 1 (22.05.2024) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 4 (deadline 21.05.2024)
Tutorial Group 2 (23.05.2024) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 4 (deadline 21.05.2024)

5. Function Application

Lecture (27.05.2024)
Tutorial Group 1 (29.05.2024) FRESH/WARM UP CLASS
Tutorial Group 2 (30.05.2024) Fronleichnam

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 (03.06.2024)
Tutorial Group 1 (05.06.2024) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 5 (deadline 04.06.2024)
Tutorial Group 2 (06.06.2024) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 5 (deadline 04.06.2024)

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

7. Aspect

Lecture (10.06.2024)
Tutorial Group 1 (12.06.2024) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 6 (deadline 11.06.2024)
Tutorial Group 2 (13.06.2024) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 6 (deadline 11.06.2024)

Handouts

8. Tense

Lecture (17.06.2024)
Tutorial Group 1 (19.06.2024) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 7 (deadline 18.06.2024)
Tutorial Group 2 (20.06.2024) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 7 (deadline 18.06.2024)

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

10. Modal & Intensional Logic

Lecture (24.06.2024)
Tutorial Group 1 (26.06.2024) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 8 (deadline 25.06.2024)
Tutorial Group 2 (27.06.2024) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 8 (deadline 25.06.2024)

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.

11. Event semantics

Lecture (01.07.2024)
Tutorial Group 1 (03.07.2024) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 9 (deadline 02.07.2024)
Tutorial Group 2 (04.07.2024) EXERCISE SHEET Nr 9 (deadline 02.07.2024)

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

RECAP

Lecture (08.07.2024) Exam preparation (Probeklausur)

Tutorial Group 1+ 2 (11.07.2024) Exam preparation (Probeklausur)

For any questions, please send an email to:
v.petukhova@lsv.uni-saarland.de
Use subject tag: [IFS_24]