Frame Semantics

This advanced course provides extensive insights into the structure and analysis od word meanings. Introducing Charles Fillmore’s theory of Frame Semantics, the first part will discuss the openness and richness of word meanings, reflecting the rich variety of human experiences (cf., for example, Tuesday, barber or alimony). These words necessitate an understanding of concepts (or semantic frames) such as repeatable calendar events, grooming and hair, and marriage and divorce. From this we will learn that a theory of word meaning needs to include more than the small linguistically significant set of primitive concepts proposed by a number of linguists, among them Ray Jackendoff or Anna Wierzbicka. The second part of the course will present the concept of semantic frame as developed by Fillmore and his associates. Frames offer rich conceptual backgrounds against which word meanings are understood. In this part of the course, we will learn how frames are discovered and described, how they are distinguished from and linked to other frames, and how frame-semantic information is syntactically relevant. If time permits, we will also explore how semantic frames can be applied to cross-linguistic analysis. The third part of the course will employ the FrameNet database http://framenet.icsi.berkeley.edu to analyse the meaning of a given word as a network of interrelated senses. Some of these senses are more central, or basic, and others are less central, or peripheral. In this approach, the processes of metaphor and metonymy are central in describing the full range of meanings which a particular word can evoke. Finally, we will look at how Frame Semantics integrates with Construction Grammar. Required Reading : see Reader. Please check StudIP for updates and additional information as the semester approaches. Deutsche und Englische Linguistik, Master of Arts Reader – copy shop Stork (Körnerstraße) from 1 April / Registration – StudIP 1.3.2015-31.3.2015 / Size restriction – 25 / Prerequisites – LingF1-LingF4 (FüBA) / Further Information - rainer.schulze@engsem.~ LingA1, LingA2 / FAL1.1, FAL1.2 / FAL2.1, FAL2.2 Universität Hannover SoSe 2015 Englisch, Ergänzungsstudiengang 3. Fach LA Gym. Prof. Dr. phil. Schulze Rainer phil