In this class we will take a look at how cognitive-functional approaches see language and try to unravel the problems in linguistic analysis. It is typical of these approaches to give semantics the topmost priority, whereas in generative frameworks syntax was the supreme ruler in linguistic analysis. Here syntax is seen almost as a mere tool for conveying the meanings in the mind, without any immediate effect on language and how it is used. As the name implies, language is considered from a cognitive perspective i.e. how we conceptualize the world and how this is seen in the form of language, and from a functional perspective i.e. what we are trying to do with language and how this affects the form of language.
Course-work includes weekly readings, both classic and recent, on several different topics (lexical semantics, diachronic change, mental representation, modality, iconicity, etc.) in the cognitive and functional frameworks, a short presentation in class on one of the topics, and a final essay.

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