CAS Linguistics Program presents Lisa Matthewson

Lisa Matthewson, University of British Columbia,

“Cross-linguistic semantics: Methods and results”

Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 5:30 pm

BU – KCB room 106

Abstract:
With the majority of the world’s languages in danger of extinction, it is important to gather information about cross-linguistic diversity, while there is still time. In this talk I present a ‘how-to’ guide to conducting cross-linguistic semantic research. I outline the methodologies of cross-linguistic semantics, focusing on how one empirically tests hypotheses about meaning in a fieldwork situation.

In the second half of the talk I illustrate the methodologies and results of this cross-linguistic research program by means of a case study on modals. Drawing on data from St’át’imcets (Salish), Gitksan (Tsimshianic), and other languages, I show how cross-linguistic formal research is leading to an emerging formal typology of modal systems. This emerging typology allows us to make predictions about what modal systems can (and cannot) look like in natural language.

lm-fb

Sponsored by the James Geddes, Jr. Lecture Series

Information about this event is posted at http://ling.bu.edu/events

This is also a Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/424522457631793/