Interpreting language: semantic and pragmatic approaches

Teacher(s)

Degand Elisabeth;

Language

French

Prerequisites

Students have successfully completed an introductory course in linguistics 

Main themes

This course reviews different approaches in semantics and pragmatics based on a critical analysis of language usage in authentic contexts. Among these currents and approaches, there are: 

• Lexical semantics 
• Sentence-level semantics 
• Cognitive approaches 
• Pragmatic theories of speech acts 
• Gricean and neo-Gricean pragmatics 
• Semantic and pragmatic principles at work at the discourse level and in language evolution. 

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	Develop knowledge of explanatory perspectives in semantics and pragmatics;
2	Apply theoretical concepts to concrete language situations,d’appliquer des concepts théoriques à des situations langagières concrètes;
3	Demonstrate a good knowledge of different contemporary approaches to semantics and pragmatics.
This learning unit contributes to the development and command of the following skills and learning outcomes of the ELAL programmes: :1.4, 1.6, 2.6, 3.5, 3.6, 6.4, 6.6

Content

The course addresses the role of semantics and pragmatics at different levels of linguistic representation: lexical semantics, sentence semantics and relations between propositions (sentence meaning: reference, inference, propositional logic, truth values) and discursive semantics (coherence and cohesion). A general overview of cognitive semantics (metaphors, mental images, mental spaces) and certain pragmatic theories (speech act theory, relevance theory) is provided. All theoretical situations are illustrated with concrete examples from everyday life (advertisements, authentic conversational exchanges).

Teaching methods

This course includes lectures and requires active participation from students in the form of practical exercises (Moodle, Wooclap, in class).
Revision exercises will also be provided.

Evaluation methods

Written exam consisting of:
A: Theoretical open-ended questions
B: Applied exercises
C: Multiple-choice questions combining theory and applied exercises
Passing all three sections is essential to demonstrate the skills and knowledge defined in the learning outcomes of the course. The exam can only be passed if the student passes each of the assessment activities. If a student fails any of the sections A, B, or C, the lowest grade will be assigned. If all components are a pass, the final grade will be the arithmetic mean of the three integrated sections.
In the event of a failure, the student must retake the entire exam.
 

Other information

English-friendly course (cf. https://www.uclouvain.be/fr/facultes/fial/friendly-courses)

Bibliography

Faculty or entity

> ELAL