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Interpreting plural predication: homogeneity and non-maximality
Manuel Križ1, Benjamin Spector2
1Department of Linguistics, University of Vienna, Wien, Austria.
Linguistics and Philosophy
|November 1, 2021
Summary
This study introduces a new theory for understanding plural definite descriptions, explaining their exceptions and interpretations in sentences. The research offers a unified account for complex linguistic phenomena involving quantifiers and negation.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Semantics
- Formal Semantics
Background:
- Plural definite descriptions exhibit non-maximal readings (allowing exceptions) and homogeneity (existential interpretation under negation).
- Previous theories by Krifka (1996) and Malamud (2012) provide foundational insights but face limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel theory of plural definite descriptions that accounts for their varied interpretations.
- To address limitations of existing theories and provide a more comprehensive analysis.
Main Methods:
- Building upon prior semantic and pragmatic frameworks.
- Developing a theory where sentences with plural definites yield a range of interpretations.
- Utilizing general principles of language use to explain contextual and syntactic variations.
Main Results:
- The proposed theory successfully resolves issues encountered in previous works.
- It offers precise analyses for complex interactions involving plural definites, quantifiers, and bound variables.
- The theory also accounts for sentences with non-distributive predicates.
Conclusions:
- The new theory provides a unified and broader account of plural definite descriptions.
- It offers a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of their semantic behavior across different linguistic contexts.
- The proposal is compared with alternative theories, highlighting its unique predictions and strengths.
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