Journal of Language and Linguistics Volume 1 Number 3 2002 ISSN 1475 - 8989

Understanding Semantics sets out to be a complete introduction to the field, starting with basic concepts, moving through central questions, and examining the methodologies of structuralist, cognitive and logical (formal) semantics.

It is a careful and thorough volume which should be the set text of choice for every undergraduate course in semantics. The format is a didactic one of chapter followed by a checklist (an aide memoire of key words, terms and names), exercises, and suggestions for further reading. The lecturer is presented with a ready-made course; the student with a key tool for the study of semantics. Both will benefit from Professor Loebner's clear presentation of the breadth of ideas and methods of a broad subject.

Yet this volume can be more than just a linguistics text book. The clarity of presentation and step by step approach makes the book accessible to students of many disciplines, and even for the general reader who wishes to understand something of semantics.

The book is supported by a web page; all academic books should have this sort of on-line back up.

Available on-line from Amazon.

Graeme Davis
University of Northumbria, UK