University Malaysia Sabah School of Education and Social Development Semester 2, Academic Year 2009-2010 PLUMS Semantics Assignment

Write one of the following two assignments. If you choose question A, you must submit it by April 11th. If you choose question B, you must submit it by May 21st. Make sure you read the notes on "Writing an assignment" before you begin writing. Question A: Latest date of submission: Sunday the 11th of April, 2010. Carefully consider the introductory lectures on Semantics. Write an essay of two to three pages to describe your impressions of Semantics as a subject of study at this early stage. I want to know your personal reactions to the ideas we have met so far. It is your own thoughts that I want to hear. That is what you will get marks for. Do not copy notes or repeat what I have said in the lectures .. you will get no marks for that! I am looking for evidence of your own thinking! An essay must have at least five paragraphs, including an introduction and a conclusion. Your essay will have one title only (you choose it) and no sub-headings. Notes will not be accepted. Every sentence in the essay must be your own original work.

Question B: Latest date of submission: Friday the 21st of May, 2010. In your experience of a language of your choice, write an essay in English describing how the four conversational maxims are applied in everyday usage. Give typical examples of the suspension of each maxim (in local usage). Where you use examples of languages other than English, give the original language version plus an English translation. An essay must have at least five paragraphs, including an introduction and a conclusion. Your essay will have one title only (you choose it) and no sub-headings. Notes will not be accepted. Every sentence in the essay text must be your own original work.