A Link Between Local Enrichment and Scalar Diversity

Area of Science:

• Linguistics
• Cognitive Science
• Semantics

Background:

• Scalar terms generate scalar inferences at varying rates, a phenomenon known as Scalar Diversity.
• Existing explanations for Scalar Diversity are insufficient, leaving significant variation unexplained.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate two novel factors contributing to Scalar Diversity: item selection methodology and dual route pragmatic theories.
• To test the predictive power of the Bayesian Rational Speech Act (RSA-LU) model regarding local enrichment and Scalar Diversity.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of a methodologically motivated factor related to item choice in previous studies.
• Investigation of a theoretically motivated factor based on dual route theories, specifically the RSA-LU model.
• Conducting three experiments to empirically validate the proposed factors and their impact on Scalar Diversity.

Main Results:

• Both newly proposed factors were found to be active contributors to the Scalar Diversity effect.
• The RSA-LU model successfully predicted that local enrichment influences Scalar Diversity.
• Experimental results provide evidence for the role of both methodological and theoretical factors in scalar inference variation.

Conclusions:

• The findings support dual route approaches to scalar effects, suggesting that scalar inferences can arise from both global and local pragmatic processes.
• The study highlights the importance of considering both experimental design and theoretical frameworks in understanding Scalar Diversity.
• Results offer stronger evidence for dual route theories over traditional Gricean explanations for certain pragmatic effects.