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Editor for this issue: Neil Salmond <neillinguistlist.org>
degruyter.com>Title: The Mathematics of Language Series Title: Studies in Generative Grammar 63 Publication Year: 2003 Publisher: Mouton de Gruyter http://www.mouton-publishers.com Author: Marcus Kracht Hardback: ISBN: 3110176203, Pages: x, 570, Price: Europe EURO 98.00 Abstract: This book studies language(s) and linguistic theories from a mathematical point of view. Starting with ideas already contained in Montague's work, it develops the mathematical foundations of present day linguistics. It equips the reader with all the background necessary to understand and evalu-ate theories as diverse as Montague Grammar, Categorial Grammar, HPSG and GB. The mathematical tools are mainly from universal algebra and logic, but no particular knowledge is presupposed beyond a certain mathematical sophistication that is in any case needed in order to fruitfully work within these theories. The presentation focuses on abstract mathematical structures and their compu-tational properties, but plenty of examples from different natural languages are provided to illustrate the main concepts and results. In contrast to books devoted to so-called formal language theory, languages are seen here as semiotic systems, that is, as systems of signs. A language sign correlates form with meaning. Using the principle of compositionality it is possible to gain substantial insight into the interaction between form and meaning in natural languages. Lingfield(s): Linguistic Theories, Semantics, Syntax Written In: English (Language Code: ENG) See this book announcement on our website: http://linguistlist.org/get-book.html?BookID=10214.Mail to author|Respond to list|Read more issues|LINGUIST home page|Top of issue