Syntax/Semantics Interface

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Clearly, there is a systematic relation between grammatical structure and meaning, but what do the semantic and syntactic modules of grammar need to be like to explain it? In this class we are going to explore the syntax-semantics interface with the goal of understanding both classic and currently debated theoretical approaches. Our course will be organized around three clusters of topics: 1. Covert (and other A’-) movement a. Scope b. Quantification and binding c. Wh-questions 2. Alternatives and multidimensional meaning a. Focus b. Wh-questions c. Indefinites d. Free choice e. Exhaustification 3. Argument taking a. Event semantics b. Status of agents c. Modes of combination (Ladusaw/Chung) d. DM layers in the syntax The course will be co-taught by Elena Herburger (Spanish and Portuguese) and Paul Portner (Linguistics). It will have a seminar-style format, and so we anticipate lively discussion among all participants. Target audience: graduate students in syntax and semantics, computational linguistics and formal approaches to language acquisition Prerequisites: Syntax 1 and Semantics and Pragmatics 1 Requirements: reading the papers, participation, presentation and term paper