Q3161 Semantics
English Language & Linguistics, School of English, Sussex
Convenor & tutor
Lynne Murphy
lynnem@sussex.ac.uk
Arts B348
Tel: (67)8844
Office hours: Tue & Thu 2-3
Tutor
Justyna Robinson
justyna.robinson@sussex.ac.uk
Arts B246
(87)3653
Office hours: Tue 10-12
2
The timetable varies by week. Please see your Sussex Direct timetable.
All students attend Lecture, Seminar and Workshop as scheduled.
Teaching is heavier in the earlier weeks of the term in order to allow time for preparation of
the assessments later in the term.
Lectures: Introduce semantic concepts, reflect the textbook material
Seminars: Practise semantic concepts and discuss topical readings.
Workshops: Build research skills.
Module description
This module develops and applies corpus-linguistic skills in the study of meaning. The module
builds on concepts in semantics that were introduced in first-year Approaches to
Meaning/Approaches to Meaning in English (polysemy, synonymy), while introducing a
number of lexical and supra-lexical semantic problems that are illustrated in verb usage
(argument structure, negation and modality, tense and aspect). Students will work in groups to
present data-led analyses of a single verb that respond to theoretical claims in the current
literature. Students will have ample opportunity to apply cutting-edge techniques that rely on
IT tools to explore meaning of words.
Learning outcomes – disciplinary knowledge & skills
1. The successful student will apply skills in corpus linguistic methodologies to the problem
of analysing and describing the use of verbs and their roles and relationships in
sentential semantics/syntax.
2. The successful student will interpret linguistic data in order to relate it to theoretical
models of meaning.
Learning outcomes – transferrable skills
1. The successful student will understand and implement (using appropriate software) a
small set of statistical skills.
 Why do we care about this?
“The results reveal the importance that employers attach to graduates’ numeracy
skills and the extent to which employers use numeracy tests in graduate
recruitment. They thus highlight the potential for poor numeracy skills to limit any
graduate's acquisition of employment, irrespective of their degree subject;
especially since numeracy tests are used predominantly in recruitment to the types
of jobs commensurate with graduates’ career aspirations and within sectors that
attract graduates from across the diversity of academic disciplines, including the
arts and humanities.” Durrani & Tariq (2012): ‘The role of numeracy in graduate
employability’ http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/2847/
2. The successful student will work closely with peers, demonstrating cooperation and
leadership skills.
…as well other skills that are developed throughout your course.
3
Assessment
Coursework 100%
Both pieces of work will report on corpus analyses you’ve done on the semantics of a
particular verb or verb set. The group presentation will allow you to work together in coding
and analysing the data, and to specialise on different aspects. The essay will take that
analysis further, in your own direction and your own words with reflection on the process.
Mode
Length
Weight
Due
Group presentation
Essay
20 minutes
(+ discussion)
2500 words
30%
Week 9
70%
Week 12: see Sussex
Direct for details
Regulations
 The School of English has a strict attendance policy. See the Student Handbook:
https://www.sussex.ac.uk/webteam/gateway/file.php?name=english-language-handbook2013-14.pdf
 Plagiarism, collusion, misrepresentation and other academic misconduct will not be tolerated.
Make sure you know what counts as misconduct.
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/academicoffice/resources/misconduct
 Work must be submitted on time. If circumstances beyond your control prevent you from
submitting work on time, make sure that you follow the appropriate ‘mitigating evidence’
procedures. http://www.sussex.ac.uk/studentlifecentre/mitigation
 If you have problems following any of these regulations, please seek advice from your
academic advisor or the Student Life Centre. http://www.sussex.ac.uk/studentlifecentre/
Resources
Study Direct is a major resource for this course. Please check it regularly
Textbook
Bennett, Paul. 2002. Semantics: an introduction to non-lexical aspects of meaning. Munich:
Lincom Europa.
Seminar/workshop readings
Are listed on the Library Reading List, accessible via Study Direct or the Library website.
Corpora and software
All relevant links will be put on StudyDirect.
4
Syllabus
Wk
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Lecture
Tue 11-12
Fulton 202
Introduction to
supra-lexical
semantics
Review: Polysemy
& Synonymy
Bennett 1 & 2
Argument
structure &
semantic roles
Bennett 3
Tense
Bennett 5
Aspect
Bennett 6
Modality
Bennett 7
Negation
Bennett 8
Seminar
Thu 9-10
Friston 116
What do dictionaries tell
us about verb senses?
Workshop
Thu 11-13
room varies!
Atkins et al. 1988
What can corpora tell us
about verb senses?
Gries (2006); Gries (2012)
Extracting your
dataset
Jub G23
Finding clusters in
your data
Jub G23
Reading week
Coding of your dataset in preparation for week 8
Cluster analysis:
troubleshooting
Jub G23
Presentations
Presentations
Jub 135
Post-presentation
discussion
Jub 135
Feedback and essay
surgery
by arrangement
Essay due: see Sussex Direct