Philosophy of Language

This textbook provides an overview of the central issues in philosophy of language, suitable for students and researchers in linguistics. It covers compositionality, reference and intentionality, pragmatics, and foundational questions about meaning, with historical case studies to illustrate how linguistic questions are related to philosophical problems. The book encourages collaboration between philosophy of language and linguistics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 338 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2018
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This groundbreaking textbook serves as an essential introduction for linguists to fundamental topics in the philosophy of language. While accessible to students with a single course in linguistics, its depth and sophistication make it suitable for advanced study at the graduate level. The book offers a comprehensive overview of the central issues in philosophy of language, a crucial subject in shaping the next generation of researchers in semantics and pragmatics. Thoroughly rooted in contemporary linguistic theory, it delves into the core foundational and philosophical questions in semantics and pragmatics, providing rich illustrations through historical case studies. These case studies demonstrate how linguistic inquiries intersect with philosophical dilemmas in domains such as metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics.

In Part I, students are introduced to the core concepts of semantics, including compositionality, reference, and intentionality. Part II explores pragmatics, encompassing context, conversational update, implicature, and speech acts. Part III examines foundational questions about meaning.

By presenting these topics in a clear and accessible manner, the book fosters collaboration and further development between philosophy of language and linguistics. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars and students alike, enriching their understanding of the intricate relationship between language and the broader realm of philosophical inquiry.

Weight: 610g
Dimension: 175 x 245 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781107480629