Ashwini Deo - Teaching
Fall 2007
270a/670a Topics in Semantics
Theories of lexical semantic representation and event structure. Cross-linguistic variation in
mapping of event structure to syntax and argument realization. Case studies include experiencer
predicates, (in) transitivity of two-arguments verbs, variation in motion verbs and unaccusative
predicates.
Spring 2008
112b/512b Historical Linguistics
Types of change that a language undergoes in the course of time: sound change, analogy,
syntactic and semantic change, borrowing. Techniques for recovering earlier linguistic stages:
philology, internal reconstruction, the comparative method. Language change and linguistic
theory. The role of language contact in language change.
264b/664b Semantic Theory
The model-theoretic approach to semantics and its treatment of core linguistic phenomena.
Topics to be discussed include quantification, tense/aspect/modality, context and interpretation,
and the semantics-pragmatics interface.
