Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics

Course Coordinator: Dr Patrick Lee, MA (HKBU), MA (City University of HK); MBA (University of Leicester, UK); PhD (Newcastle University, UK); Chartered Linguist (CIOL)

Course Developer: Dr Han Yang, HKMU

This course examines the semantic and pragmatic dimensions of meaning in language.

Advisory prerequisite(s)
You are advised to have already studied either ENGL A200 or ENGL A202.

Aims
This course aims to help students to understand how we use lexical, grammatical, metaphorical, and interactional devices to express meanings, and how the meanings of words and structure change depending on context and circumstances. The course also examines how semantic and pragmatic factors influence our choice of language in social interaction, and what kinds of effects our choices have on other language users.

Contents
The course covers the following topics:

• Word meaning
• Tense
• Aspect and reference
• Metaphor
• Meaning and context
• Indirectness and politeness, etc.

Learning support
There will be regular two-hour tutorials.

Assessment
There are four assignments and a final examination. Students are required to submit assignments via the Online Learning Environment (OLE).

Set book(s)
Grundy, P (2008, 2019) Doing Pragmatics, 3rd edn, London: Edward Arnold.

Hofmann, Th R (1993) Realms of Meaning: An Introduction to Semantics, London and New York: Longman.

Lakoff, G and Johnson, M (1980) Metaphors We Live By, Chicago: Chicago University Press.

Thomas, J (1995) Meaning in Interaction: An Introduction to Pragmatics, Harlow, Essex: Longman.