Definiteness projection

Datos Bibliográficos

ID4568883
AutoresMatthew Mandelkern (0000-0002-2140-7518, New College), Daniel Rothschild (0000-0003-4868-6884, University College London, autor de correspondencia)
Año2020
Volumen28
Número2
Páginas77-109
Fecha de publicación2020-06-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaNatural Language Semantics (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0925-854X • E-ISSN: 1572-865X
EditorialSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s11050-019-09159-2
OpenAlexW4253616588
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas6
Referencias citadas38

We argue that definite noun phrases give rise to uniqueness inferences characterized by a pattern we calldefiniteness projection. Definiteness projection says that the uniqueness inference of a definite projects out unless there is an indefinite antecedent in a position that filters presuppositions. We argue that definiteness projection poses a serious puzzle for e-type theories of (in)definites; on such theories, indefinites should filter existence presuppositions but not uniqueness presuppositions. We argue that definiteness projection also poses challenges for dynamic approaches, which have trouble generating uniqueness inferences and predicting some filtering behavior, though unlike the challenge for e-type theories, these challenges have mostly been noted in the literature, albeit in a piecemeal way. Our central aim, however, is not to argue for or against a particular view, but rather to formulate and motivate a generalization about definiteness which any adequate theory must account for

Algorithm · Definiteness · Epistemology · Generalization · Inference · Linguistics · Mathematical analysis · Metaphysics · Philosophy of language · Presupposition · Uniqueness · Mathematics · Natural Language Processing Techniques · Philosophy · Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation · Topic Modeling