This project, led by Dr Charles Denroche, argues that Semantics fails to embrace entire strands of significant research in language and meaning, such as phraseology (Sinclair 1991), functional grammar (Halliday 1985) and metaphor (Gibbs 2008), while over-emphasising topics of less relevance, such as logic, truth and reference. It also lacks the overarching organisation and internal structuring one would expect of a mature discipline.
To resolve these issues, Dr Charles Denroche proposes a new, more inclusive field, Meaning Studies, which abandons unhelpful emphases and presents a multidisciplinary programme organised according to ‘dimensions of meaning’, ‘core ideas’ and ‘guiding principles’. The programme extends to translation and other contexts where languages co-exist, namely multilingualism, language learning and language contact.
Meaning Studies will showcase the work of scholars across the ages, by offering a proper platform for their work, and provide an accessible repository of know-how on language and meaning for all those working inside and outside linguistics today.