Semantic Analysis: A Practical Introduction

Oxford Textbooks in Linguistics

by Cliff Goddard

Semantic Analysis is a lively and clearly written introduction to the study of meaning in language, and to the language-culture connection. Goddard covers traditional and contemporary issues and approaches with the relationship between semantics, conceptualization, and culture as a key theme.
He also details a number of case studies that draw on a wide range of material from non-Indo-European languages, particularly Australian Aboriginal languages and Malay, on which the author is an authority.

Genres: Linguistics

428 pages, Paperback

First published July 9, 1998

Reviews

[Rima Muryantina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this semester, and I really love the semantics course! This book is well-written and well-organized for those who were just introduced to Natural Semantic Metalanguage Theory. I like how Cliff Goddard put the chapters according to the NSM templates: 'emotion, speech act, particles and interjection, motion verbs, semantics of grammar, etc.'

I also like the examples from various languages, introducing us to the meanings understood by different people from different backgrounds (not only forcing us to understand the Anglo point of view).

He also tried to introduce us to some other semantic theories in the earlier chapters of the book (even though they're not in details).

Overall, great book for those who love semantics!

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but unclear to me. I was bothered by the refutation of Wittgenstein in the beginning because it seemed a little blind to me. Meaning can be in its use, as well as more than that. Wittgenstein only meant that it’s norm-governed and socially patterned, which is true. I can see how NSM needs a boundary, and it’s an incredibly useful system, but it’s strange to me to refute this idea. It’s OK if NSM has its own weaknesses as far as considering cultural explanations or how humans use language, but that’s why we need both ideas. They’re perfectly compatible.

Otherwise great for a better understanding of the thought behind NSM.

[Brann Dies · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction into NSM, awful if you are looking into formal semantics. i wanted to give it a 3.5 because defining spoon, while interesting, seems clumsy and annoying to read.