The first aim of the module is to explore a range of theoretical and descriptive approaches to the relationship between words and their meanings. The second aim is to provide students with an understanding of the methods used to investigate word behaviour. 

This module explores the world of words. What is a word? What range of meanings does a word have? How are word meanings related? How does grammatical patterning help us tell them apart? Where do words come from and how do they change? In this module we will explore a number of different approaches to the semantics of words, including how their meanings are expressed through grammatical patterning. We will take an investigative look at our words from various perspectives. Students will be given the opportunity to gain hands-on experience using electronic resources (e.g. the various corpora available through access to Sketch Engine). 

• Define key concepts in lexicology 

• Identify the various semantic functions of words from a range of perspectives 

• Sustain a critical argument that is responsive to the particular conventions of the genre 

• Analyse words and their use through methodologies associated with corpus linguistics 

• Describe the grammatical patterns relevant to verb semantics 

• Critically evaluate ideas, arguments and empirical research 

The module will be delivered through a mix of large group and small group sessions, including, where relevant, asynchronous materials such as lecture recordings. Full details on the delivery mode of this module will be available on Learning Central at the start of the academic year – and may be, in part, determined by Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance.   

• Define key concepts in lexicology 

• Identify the various semantic functions of words from a range of perspectives 

• Summarize and paraphrase relevant literature 

• Explain the historical development of a particular lexeme 

• Explore words and their use through methodologies associated with corpus linguistics 

• Describe the grammatical patterns relevant to verb semantics 

The following syllabus is indicative of the topics that are likely to be covered in the module. 

1. Semantic fields and prototype theory 

2. Theories of lexical items: Word categorisation 

3. Theories of meaning: Reference, sense and denotation 

4. Meaning relations: Polysemy and homonymy 

5. Processes of semantic change and word formation 

6. Semantic pattern analysis 

7. Using a corpus to obtain empirical evidence of lexical meanings