What is Montague semantics?
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Diego Marconi
Abstract
In many respects, this essay is a touchstone for the other papers in the book. While presenting and specifying the characteristics, potential and limitations of Montague grammar, it analyses a number of significant differences between a formal and a cognitive semantics. It therefore deals which many of the issues that have been given alternative treatment in cognitive semantics (structure, syntax and semantics, the compositionality of meaning, competence, and so on). Marconi’s main thesis, in fact, is that Montague semantics is not a theory of meaning for natural language (see also Langacker’s contribution), but a particular, or even complete, theory of an idealization of inferential competence. The essay clarifies in particular the different relationships between semantics and syntax in formal and cognitive semantics, explaining how a Montague grammar is a theory of the semantic effects of composition and how, consequently, it affects meaning.
Abstract
In many respects, this essay is a touchstone for the other papers in the book. While presenting and specifying the characteristics, potential and limitations of Montague grammar, it analyses a number of significant differences between a formal and a cognitive semantics. It therefore deals which many of the issues that have been given alternative treatment in cognitive semantics (structure, syntax and semantics, the compositionality of meaning, competence, and so on). Marconi’s main thesis, in fact, is that Montague semantics is not a theory of meaning for natural language (see also Langacker’s contribution), but a particular, or even complete, theory of an idealization of inferential competence. The essay clarifies in particular the different relationships between semantics and syntax in formal and cognitive semantics, explaining how a Montague grammar is a theory of the semantic effects of composition and how, consequently, it affects meaning.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Which semantics? 1
- Why a mind is necessary 25
- What is Montague semantics? 39
- Construal operations in linguistics and artificial intelligence 51
- Salience phenomena in the lexicon 79
- Prototypicality, typicality, and context 103
- Directions and perspective points in spatial perception 123
- Force and emotion 145
- The geometric roots of semantics 169
- The history and future of field semantics 203
- Notes 227
- References 235
- Glossary 253
- Name index 259
- Subject index 263
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Which semantics? 1
- Why a mind is necessary 25
- What is Montague semantics? 39
- Construal operations in linguistics and artificial intelligence 51
- Salience phenomena in the lexicon 79
- Prototypicality, typicality, and context 103
- Directions and perspective points in spatial perception 123
- Force and emotion 145
- The geometric roots of semantics 169
- The history and future of field semantics 203
- Notes 227
- References 235
- Glossary 253
- Name index 259
- Subject index 263
