Abstract

Minimal Semantics asks what a theory of literal linguistic meaning is for - if you were to be given a working theory of meaning for a language right now, what would you be able to do with it? Emma Borg argues for a minimal answer to this question, thereby defending so-called 'formal semantics' from some serious recent challenges. She argues that opponents confuse understanding of language with related skills, like understanding communication. Finally, she explores the implications of this stance for claims about psychological structure. Clear and accessible without sacrificing rigour, Borg's book will be illuminating for all philosophers of language and many working in related fields.