ABSTRACT

Realms of Meaning presents an accessible introduction to semantics. It provides an understanding of the way meaning works in natural languages, against a background of how we communicate with language. Avoiding theoretical terminology and linguistic theories it concentrates instead on the analysis of meaning, and looks in depth at such subjects as opposites and negatives, modal verbs, prepositions and word meanings. Examples are chosen mainly from English to provide material for the wider discussion of the principles of the subject, but European, East Asian and other languages also provide illuminating examples.

chapter 1|19 pages

On Entering the Realms

chapter 2|20 pages

Markedness and Blocking

chapter 3|21 pages

Opposites and Negatives

chapter 4|16 pages

Deixis

chapter 5|18 pages

Orientations

chapter 6|24 pages

Modal Verbs

chapter 7|20 pages

Time

Tense and Aspect

chapter 8|20 pages

Limits to Events

chapter 9|21 pages

Prepositions

chapter 10|23 pages

Reference and Predication

chapter 11|23 pages

Words to Sentences

chapter 12|23 pages

Word Meanings

chapter 13|24 pages

Combining Sentences

chapter 14|20 pages

Meaning and Context

chapter 15|20 pages

Afterwords