Semantic Typology

Meaning is what language is all about, and the study of meaning across languages is a central part of linguistics. Semantic typology compares meanings expressed by words, phrases and grammatical constructions across the world's languages. Its major focus is establishing how languages differ and what they share, as well as developing frameworks for studying commonality and diversity in meaning. Bringing together ANU's distinctive traditions in both semantics and typology, and building on its world-class standing in both areas, this advanced-level course will broaden and deepen students’ understanding of semantic diversity, semantic universals, and the challenge of studying meanings across languages, cultures and domains. By linking the study of meaning with what John Locke called “human understanding” and with an interest in peoples, languages and cultures across time and space, this course will equip students with high-level knowledge and skills to think critically about meaning, to develop precise tools for analysing cross-linguistic and cross-cultural differences in how the world is conceived, to conduct cutting-edge research in the fast-growing field of semantic typology, and to apply the knowledge acquired to a range of professional settings and contexts. A wide range of semantic domains are explored across a diverse range of languages, including indigenous languages of Australia and the Pacific, as well as Asian and European Languages. Topics include general issues in developing comparative cross-linguistic frameworks; methodological issues in studying meaning across languages and domains; cross-linguistic semantics and lexicography; and diversity in semantics and argument structures across languages.