A Quantifier Approach to Negation in Natural Languages

Or Why Negative Concord is Necessary

Bibliographic Data

ID20377534
AuthorsHelmut WeiSS (0000-0002-7811-4038, University of Regensburg, corresponding author)
Year2002
Volume25
Issue2
Pages125-153
Publication date2002-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueNordic Journal of Linguistics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0332-5865 • E-ISSN: 1502-4717
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1080/033258602321093346
OpenAlexW2100312217
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited59

This article attempts to give a uniform and coherent analysis of the semantics and syntax of negation, with special emphasis on negative concord (NC) constructions. It is argued that negation is semantically a tripartite quantifier binding the event variable in its restriction. In syntax, this logical form corresponds to a structure where a NegP is present with Neg ° (normally) hosting the negative particle and a specifier as a checking position in the Minimalist sense. As a consequence, negative indefinites are held to be weak indefinites with a formal feature NEG which has to be checked away (thus obtaining Neg absorption). Additionally, some new data are introduced showing that even English style negative indefinites are analysable as non-negated weak indefinites

Linguistics · Negation · Noun phrase · Programming language · Specifier · Syntax · Computer Science · Linguistic Variation and Morphology · Mathematics · Natural Language Processing Techniques · Philosophy · Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation