Introduction to compositional semantics

How can we build up the meaning of sentences from the meaning of words? In this module, we will learn how to translate words into expressions in lambda calculus. The material we cover will be essential to anyone wishing to work in formal semantics or the syntax-semantics interface.

(I taught this module as part of the UCL Linguistics Autumn School 2023, which I co-organised with Yiling Huo.)

Outline:

SessionsDate & TimeVenue
1Language as a meaning machine [slides]17 Oct 2023, 15:00-16:00Chandler House, Room G06
2Combining multiple machines [slides]24 Oct 2023, 15:00-16:0024 Gordon Square, Room 105
3Creating a homemade machine [slides]31 Oct 2023, 15:00-16:00Rockefeller Building, Meeting Room 1
4Feeding machines into machines [slides]14 Nov 2023, 15:00-16:00UCL GOSICH – Wolfson Centre, Room G (1st Floor)
5Feeding machines into machines (cont’d) [slides]21 Nov 2023, 15:00-16:00School of Pharmacy, Room M1 – The Wilkin Room