Meaning in English : An Introduction

Resumen del libro

This lively, compact textbook introduces readers to semantics - the study of how we construct meaning in communication. Easy to follow, and with a clear structure, it explains formal terminology in a simple and understandable way, without using formal notation or logic, and draws on dozens of examples from up-to-date empirical research findings. Offering a tight integration of classic semantic issues with cognitive science, Javier Valenzuela provides a complete and coherent overview of the main topics in this area, including a review of the empirical methods used in semantic theorizing, and discussions of both non-traditional and new topics, such as how meaning is acquired by children and how meaning is constructed cross-linguistically. Featuring illustrations, exercises, activities, suggestions for further reading, highlighted key terms, and a comprehensive glossary, this book is accessible to beginners and undergraduates, including those from non-linguistic backgrounds with no prior knowledge of linguistic analysis. It will be an essential resource for courses in English language, English studies, linguistics and the cognitive sciences.

Biografía del autor

Javier Valenzuela (Granada, 1954) fue cronista de sucesos del diario 'El País' en el Madrid de los quinquis y la Movida, a comienzos de los años 1980. En ese periódico trabajaría durante treinta años y sería luego reportero en las guerras de Oriente Próximo, corresponsal permanente en Beirut, Rabat, París y Washington y director adjunto de la redacción. En 2013 participó en el nacimiento del digital 'infoLibre' y fundó su revista en papel 'tintaLibre'. Ha recibido la Encomienda al Mérito Civil, el Premio de Periodismo Turia y el Premio Café Español de relato corto. 'Demasiado tarde para comprender', su quinta novela negra y decimoquinto libro publicado, es la segunda entrega de la serie 'Madrid Noir', iniciada con 'Pólvora, tabaco y cuero' (Huso, 2019).