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Semantics and Pragmatics

Code: 100239
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Catalan Philology: Literary Studies and Linguistics OP 4
Spanish Language and Literature OP 3
Spanish Language and Literature OP 4
English Studies OP 3
English Studies OP 4
English and Catalan Studies OP 3
English and Catalan Studies OP 4
English and Spanish Studies OP 3
English and Spanish Studies OP 4
Catalan and Spanish Studies OP 3
English and French Studies OP 4
English and Classics Studies OP 3
English and Classics Studies OP 4

Contact lecturer

Name :
Elena Pagliarini
Email :
elena.pagliarini@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Maria Teresa Espinal Farre

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

Students must be familiar with the most basic concepts on the structure and use of language, and should be able to read and understand textbooks and articles written in English.

Objectives

Introduction to the study of linguistic meaning.

The main goals of this course are the following:

  1. To acquire a general knowledge of lexical meaning, sentential meaning, and meaning in use.
  2. To understand the most basic aspects of the compositionality of meaning.
  3. To acquire a general perspective of linguistic communication and the interpretation of utterances.

Learning outcomes

  1. Summarising acquired knowledge about the origin and transformations experienced in its several fields of study.
  2. Accurately drawing up normative texts.
  3. Solving problems autonomously.
  4. Identifying the main and secondary ideas and expressing them with linguistic correctness.
  5. Accurately drawing up normative texts.
  6. Applying the results presented in specialised articles to the analysis of similar or related phenomena.
  7. Solving complex problems of linguistic analysis in any level with the appropriate tools.
  8. Appropriately using the different available formal and technical resources.
  9. Identifying main and supporting ideas and expressing them with linguistic correctness.
  10. Applying the results presented in specialised articles to the analysis of similar or related phenomena.
  11. Appropriately use the different available formal and technical resources.
  12. Solve complex linguistic analysis at any level and with the appropriate tools.
  13. Solving complex problems of linguistic analysis in any level with the appropriate tools.
  14. Identify the main and secondary ideas and express them with linguistic correctness.
  15. Solve problems autonomously.
  16. Write text commentaries from a critical standpoint.
  17. Summarise the knowledge acquired about the origin of the various fields within the discipline and the transformations they have undergone.
  18. Identify principal and secondary ideas and express them using correct language.
  19. Produce normatively correct written and oral texts.
  20. Plan, organise and carry out work in a team.
  21. Solve problems self-sufficiently.
  22. Use and interpret texts of an interdisciplinary nature on the connections between linguistics and other disciplines.
  23. Apply findings presented in specialist papers to the analysis of similar or related phenomena.
  24. Solve problems of grammatical analysis.
  25. Identify different theoretical options or ways to address the same problems from alternative theoretical frameworks.
  26. Analyse different types of linguistic data.
  27. Solve complex problems of linguistic analysis at any level and using the appropriate tools.
  28. Use and interpret texts of interdisciplinary nature about the connections between linguistics and other disciplines.
  29. Identifying different theoretical options or ways of dealing with the same problem from alternative theoretical frameworks.
  30. Analysing various types of linguistic data.
  31. Construct normatively correct texts.
  32. Synthesise the knowledge acquired on the origin and transformations undergone by the different fields of study of the discipline.
  33. Solving problems of grammatical analysis.
  34. Analyse various types of linguistic data.
  35. Write short original papers on topics related to linguistics.
  36. Preparing an oral and written discourse in the corresponding language in a proper and organized way.
  37. Solving problems autonomously.
  38. Drawing up brief original works about these topics.
  39. Applying the results presented in specialised articles to the analysis of similar or related phenomena.
  40. Preparing an oral and written discourse in the corresponding language in a proper and organized way.
  41. Develop an organized and correct oral and written speech, in the corresponding language.
  42. Use and interpret texts of interdisciplinary nature about the connections between linguistics and other disciplines.
  43. Applying the results presented in specialised articles to the analysis of similar or related phenomena.
  44. Accurately drawing up normative texts.
  45. Create an organised and correct discourse, spoken and in writing, in the corresponding language.
  46. Resolving problems independently.
  47. Write brief original texts on these topics.

Contents

  1. The study of the lexicon and the study of meaning in the grammar of natural languages.
  2. Reference, truth and meaning.
  3. Predication and quantification.
  4. Modification and intensionality.
  5. Pragmatics of context.
  6. Communication and relevance.
  7. Cognitive semantics.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Problem solving 15 0.6 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 33, 37, 43, 46
Lectures and discussion sessions 52 2.08 1, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 32, 33, 34, 39, 43
Readings 65 2.6 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 34, 35

Classes in which the main concepts are exposed will be combined with the resolution of exercises and oral presentations. The teaching methodology and the evaluation may undergo some modification subject to the onsite teaching restrictions imposed by health authorities.


The calendar will be available on the first day of class. Students will find all information on the Virtual Campus: the description of the activities, teaching materials, and any necessary information for the proper follow-up of the subject. In case of a change of teaching modality for health reasons, teachers will make readjustments in the schedule and methodologies.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Exam 1 35% 1.5 0.06 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 19, 22, 26, 27, 29, 30, 34, 35, 38, 39, 42, 43
Exam 2 35% 1.5 0.06 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 19, 22, 26, 27, 29, 30, 34, 35, 38, 39, 42, 43
Participation 10% 0 0
Exercises 20% 15 0.6 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47

Evaluation is based on the following activities:

(a) Active participation in classes and tutorials. 10%.

(b) Delivery of exercises and/or oral presentations, as will be established in due time. 20%.

(c) Partial exam 1 35%.

(d) Partial exam 2 35%.


It is mandatory to take both partial exams (c) and (d).

Activities (a) and (b) cannot be retaken.


Exchange students requesting to move an exam forward must submit to the professor a written document from their home university justifying their request.


Students will be qualified as “Not evaluable” when not more than 30% of the evaluable activities have been delivered.

Students will pass with a minimum 5 score.

Access to the retake exam will be allowed to those students who have obtained a weighted average grade between 3.5 and 4.8 and who have taken both partial exams will be able to access retakes.


Dates for the delivery of activities and their revision will be announced in the Virtual Campus.


In case that the above-mentioned activities cannot be done at the UAB, their format will be adapted (keeping the weight) to the possibilities offered by the virtual tools recommended by the UAB. Exercises, activities, and participation in class will be undertaken through forums, wikis and/or discussion of exercises through Teams. All students should have access to them.


In case of any irregularity committed by a student that might lead to a significant variation of the score of an act of evaluation, this will be qualified 0, independently of any additional disciplinary process that might be instructed. In case various irregularities are produced regarding evaluable activities, the final score will be 0.


For this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is prohibited. Use will result in a non-recoverable zero for lack of academic honesty.


Unique evaluation:

(a) Written exam. 50%

(b) Oral interview for the evaluation of competences. 30%

(c) Problem resolution. 20%


In the unique evaluation model, to be eligible for the retake, the student must have submitted all the scheduled assessments. The same assessment method as continuous assessment will be used.

Bibliography

Aloni, Maria & Paul Dekker (2016), The Cambridge handbook of formal semantics. Cambridge: CUP.

Birner, Betty J. (2013), Introduction to pragmatics. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Cann, Ronnie., Ruth Kempson & Eleni. Gregoromichelaki (2009), Semantics. An introduction to meaning and language. Cambridge: CUP.

Chierchia, Gennaro (1997). Semantica. Bologna, Il Mulino.

Coppock, Elisabeth & Lucas Champollion (2022). Invitation to formal semantics. Ms. https://eecoppock.info/bootcamp/Invitation_to_formal_semantics-2022Jan18.pdf

Cuenca, Maria Josep & John Hilferthy (1999), Introducción a la lingüística cognitiva, Barcelona: Ariel.

Cruse, Alan (2000), Meaning in language, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Davis, Steven & Brendan Gillon (eds.) (2004), Semantics. A reader. Oxford: OUP.

Davis, Steven (ed.) (1991) Pragmatics: a reader. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

*Escandell, Maria Victoria (1996, 2006), Introducción a la pragmática, Barcelona: Ariel. https://www.planetadelibros.com/libro-introduccion-a-la-pragmatica/112776#soporte/113053

*Escandell, Maria Victoria (2004), Fundamentos de semántica composicional. Barcelona: Ariel.

Escandell, Maria Victoria (2016), Pragmática. En J. Gutiérrez-Rexach (ed.), Enciclopedia de Lingüística Hispánica. Oxford: Routledge, 257-270.

Escandell, Maria Victoria (2020), La comunicación. Lengua, cognición y sociedad. Madrid: Akal. https://www.akal.com/libro/la-comunicacion_34994/edicion/ebook-57291/

Escandell, Maria Victoria, Juan Amenós-Pons, Aafke K. Ahern (eds.) (2021), Pragmática. Madrid: Akal.

Escandell, Maria Victoria, Manuel Leonetti, Cristina Sánchez López (eds.) (2011), 60 Problemas de gramática. Madrid: Akal.

Espinal, Maria Teresa (1988), Significat i interpretació, Barcelona: Publicacions de l’Abadia de Montserrat.

*Espinal, Maria Teresa (coord.) (2002), Semàntica. Del significat del mot al significat del’oració, Barcelona: Ariel.

*Espinal, Maria Teresa (coord.) (2014), Semántica. Madrid: Akal. https://www.akal.com/libro/semantica_34976/edicion/ebook-57501/

García Murga, Francisco (2002), El significado. Una introducción a la semàntica. Munich: Lincom.

García Murga, Francisco (2014), Semántica. Madrid: Síntesis.

Horn, Larry & Gregory Ward (eds.) (2004, 2006), The handbook of pragmatics. Oxford: Blackwell.

Kearns, Keith (2000, 2011), Semantics. Londres: Palgrave.

Lappin, Shalom (ed.) (1997), The handbook of Contemporary Semantic Theory. Oxford: Blackwell.

Löbner, Sebastian (2002, 2013), Understanding semantics. London: Routledge.

Lyons, John (1995), Linguistic semantics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Maienborn, Claudia, Klaus Von Heusinger & Paul Portner (2011), Semantics: an international handbook of natural language meaning. 3 vols. Berlin: de Gruyter.

*Mayol, Laia (2026). Curs de pragmàtica: una introducció a l'estudi del significat en context. Barcelona: Universitat Pompeu Fabra. https://repositori.upf.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/6a0b2aed-3926-46ba-bcae-38e7d001a398/content

de Miguel, Elena (ed.) (2009), Panorama de lexicología. Barcelona: Ariel.

Moreno Cabrera, Juan Carlos (2003), Semántica y gramática, Madrid: Antonio Machado Libros.

Portner, Paul (2005), What is meaning? Fundamentals of formal semantics, Oxford: Blackwell.

Portner, Paul & Barbara Partee (eds.) (2002), Formal semantics: The essential readings. Oxford: Blackwell.

Riemer, Nick (2016), The Routledge handbook of semantics. Oxford: Routledge.

*Saeed, John I. (1997, 20225), Semantics. Oxford: Blackwell.

Turner, Ken (ed.) (1999), The semantics / pragmatics interface from different points of view, Amsterdam: Elsevier.

Yule, George (1996), Pragmatics. Oxford: OUP.

Zimmermann, Thomas Ede & Wolfgang Sternefeld (2013). Introduction to semantics: an essential guide to the composition of meaning. Berlín: De Gruyter.

Software

Does not apply


Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed