Semantics and Pragmatics

In this course we look at how utterances are assigned meaning in different situations. The course will give students insights into the meaning of a selection of Norwegian words and constructions for which language users' intuitions tend to be unclear. These words and constructions are particularly challenging from the point of view of second language learning and second language teaching. Relevant topics includes the meaning and function of referring expressions, pragmatic markers, and non-canonical sentence structure. We look at how pragmatic principles guide the interpretation of utterances as well as the role of context in this matter.

Knowledge:

Candidates who have passed this course

• have knowledge about a selected set of semantic and pragmatic phenomena
• have knowledge about terminology and theory within semantics and pragmatics
• have knowledge about the interaction between semantic and pragmatic aspects of utterances
• have knowledge about some methods in semantic and pragmatic research
• have knowledge about relevant questions related to semantics, pragmatics and second language acquisition
• have knowledge about available language corpora (electronic language-databases) and how these can be used in research

Skills:

Candidates who have passed this course

• can describe and analyze the interaction between semantics and pragmatics for some Norwegian utterances
• can use central terminology and theory in an independent way
• can reflect on methodological challenges connected to research on semantics and pragmatics
• can perform a small-scale study of semantic and pragmatic aspects of some linguistic item or phenomenon
• can use language corpora in investigations of semantic or pragmatic phenomena
• can reflect on how phenomena treated in the course may be taught to people who learn Norwegian as a second language

Lectures and obligatory assignments: Two approved written assignments.

Approved obligatory assignments are valid for 2 semesters (the semester in which the approval is given, plus the following semester).

Obligatory assignments from a previous semester may be approved by the department.