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Formal Approaches to Semantics - LAN00087H

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

Throughout its history, the study of natural language meaning has been tightly linked to the development of formal systems that can be applied to semantic problems. This module will provide you with the basic understanding of the formal techniques and theories involved in formal semantics and will explore both the advantages and the limitations of this approach.

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

  • To introduce the basic ideas of formal semantics, in particular compositionality

  • To develop your fluency in formal logics and other formal systems and the applications thereof

  • To foster your critical analysis and problem solving skills in a new domain.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:

  • Display a basic understanding of set theory and its use in model-theoretic semantics

  • Correctly use first order predicate logic to represent natural language sentences

  • Correctly use lambda calculus as a tool in compositional calculations of meaning

  • Apply all these methodologies to select natural language semantic phenomena (e.g. quantification)

Module content

This module will introduce a formal theory of semantics, incorporating formal systems such as set theory, predicate logic and lambda calculus, and show how it can be used to provide a compositional analysis of English sentences.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 50
Open Exam (7-day week) 50

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 50
Open Exam (7-day week) 50

Module feedback

Ongoing formative feedback will be given automatically via the VLE. For the formative essay you will receive individual written feedback.

For summative assessments you will receive individual written feedback within the university mandated time limit.

Indicative reading

Coppock, E. & Champollion, L. (2023). Invitation to Formal Semantics.

https://eecoppock.info/bootcamp/semantics-boot-camp.pdf


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.