Language and Logics: An Introduction to the Logical Foundations of Language

This series supports the study of core topics that form substantial and identifiable parts of Linguistics degree courses as taught in the later years of undergraduate study. Each volume provides an in-depth introduction to a particular linguistic subdiscipline, while also engaging with recent research on the subject. 'Logical methods in the study of language have tended to be the preserve of research level literature. In this book Howard Gregory opens the field to the interested student in a steady progression which is both precise and comprehensive, providing a valuable road-map to logical linguistics.' Glyn Morrill, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya A comprehensive introduction to non-classical logics and their use in linguistics Taking linguistics students beyond the classical logics often taught in introductory courses, Language and Logics offers a comprehensive introduction to the wide variety of useful non-classical logics that are commonly used in research. Including a brief review of classical logic and its major assumptions, this textbook provides a guided tour of modal, many valued and substructural logics. The textbook starts from simple and intuitive concepts, clearly explaining the the application of logics to language for linguistics students who have little previous knowledge of logic or mathematics. Issues are presented and discussed clearly before going on to introduce symbolic notation. While not avoiding technical detail, the book focuses throughout on helping students develop an intuitive understanding of the field, with particular attention to conceptual questions and to the tailoring of logical systems to thinking about different applications in linguistics and beyond. This is an ideal introductory volume for advanced undergraduates and beginning postgraduate students in linguistics, and for those specialising in semantics. Howard Gregory obtained his PhD in linguistics from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, specialising in the interdisciplinary area of Language, Logic and Information. He was Lecturer in the Department of English Linguistics at the University of Göttingen from 2002-2009 and has taught in several countries in Europe and Asia. His research interests include grammatical relations, comparative linguistics, logic programming, ellipsis and dialogue modelling, and linguistic applications of relevance logic. Cover design & illustration: riverdesign.co.uk [EUP logo] www.euppublishing.com