Semantics: An Introduction to the Science of Meaning

Stephen Ullmann's Semantics: An Introduction to the Science of Meaning presents core concepts and frameworks for understanding how words acquire and transmit meaning. The text establishes fundamental principles of semantic analysis while examining the relationships between words, concepts, and linguistic structures. The book progresses through key areas of semantic study, from basic meaning structures to complex phenomena like polysemy and semantic change. Ullmann incorporates examples from multiple languages to demonstrate universal patterns in how meanings evolve and interact within language systems. Technical linguistic concepts are balanced with accessible explanations and relevant examples from everyday language use. The work draws connections between semantics and related fields including psychology, anthropology, and philosophy. This systematic examination of meaning represents both a practical guide for students and a theoretical foundation for exploring how humans create and manipulate meaning through language. The text raises questions about the nature of meaning itself and its role in human cognition and communication.

Readers describe this linguistics textbook as clear and accessible while providing comprehensive coverage of historical and structural semantics. Several reviews mention its value for beginners learning about meaning in language. Likes: - Clear explanations of complex concepts - Extensive examples from multiple languages - Strong coverage of metaphor and semantic change - Useful as both a reference and teaching text Dislikes: - Some sections feel dated (particularly psychological theories) - Limited coverage of more recent semantic developments - Dense academic writing style in certain chapters Online Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (41 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (6 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Helps demystify semantics for linguistics students" - Goodreads reviewer "The historical examples illuminate how word meanings evolve" - Linguist Forum review "Good introduction but needs updating for modern semantic theory" - Amazon reviewer

The Study of Language by George Yule This foundational text covers semantic principles while expanding into broader linguistic concepts that connect meaning with language structure and use.

Language and Meaning by Janet Dean Fodor The text examines the relationship between words and concepts through formal semantic theory and cognitive science perspectives.

Lexical Semantics by D. A. Cruse This work dissects word meanings and their relationships through systematic analysis of semantic fields and lexical structures.

Foundations of Language by Ray Jackendoff The book bridges semantics with syntax and cognition through exploration of mental representations and linguistic structures.

Words and Meanings by Cliff Goddard and Anna Wierzbicka The text presents cross-linguistic semantic analysis through the natural semantic metalanguage approach to word meaning.

🔹 Stephen Ullmann was a linguist who worked in three languages (Hungarian, French, and English) and pioneered the field of semantic stylistics, bridging the gap between linguistics and literary criticism. 🔹 The book was first published in 1962 and became one of the foundational texts in modern semantics, helping establish it as a distinct branch of linguistics rather than just a philosophical pursuit. 🔹 Ullmann's work in this book was among the first to systematically explore how words can acquire new meanings through metaphor, metonymy, and other linguistic mechanisms. 🔹 The author developed the concept of "semantic transparency" - the degree to which a word's meaning can be deduced from its parts - which remains influential in both linguistics and language teaching. 🔹 Though published nearly 60 years ago, the book's discussion of semantic change and language evolution predicted many of the ways that modern communication platforms would impact language development.