Susagna Tubau
Biographic Data
| ID | 962822 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Susagna Tubau |
| GIVEN NAMES | Susagna |
| FAMILY NAME | Tubau |
| SIGNATURE | TUBAU S |
| AFFILIATIONS | Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-3677-6607 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 17 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 40 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 17 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2013 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Vulgar Minimisers in English and Spanish 1
In this paper, we investigated whether vulgar minimisers form a natural class in English and Spanish by evaluating (i) their similarities and differences with respect to non‐vulgar minimisers and (ii) whether vulgar minimisers are inherently negative in these languages. We proposed that vulgar minimisers in the two languages are lexically ambiguous between polarity‐sensitive items and quasi‐negative expressions containing a local negation as part…
Establishing the limits between polarity sensitivity, negative polarity and negative concord
In this paper, by focussing on the behaviour of polarity elements from a variety of languages from different language families (namely, Basque, Hindi, English, Romanian, Spanish, Greek, Czech, and Russian) we investigate the relationship between polarity sensitive items (PSIs) and negative polarity items (NPIs) on the one hand, and between PSIs and negative concord items (NCIs) on the other. Based on a number of contrasts that we find, we argue t…
Asymmetries in child foreign language acquisition: Production and interpretation of L2 English subjects
Child language acquisition in foreign language contexts with limited exposure is often a slow process where initial stages of development last longer than in L2 contexts or in adult learners. Exploring this context may provide insights into the nature of the acquisition process and how it is reflected in the data. This study explores young learners’ subject pronoun interpretation and realization in their non-native English. Thirty-seven 9-10 year…
On the status of NCIs: An experimental investigation on so-called Strict NC languages
This paper investigates the status of Negative Concord Items (NCIs) in three so-called Strict Negative Concord (NC) languages (namely, Greek, Romanian, and Russian). An experimental study was designed to gather evidence concerning the speakers’ acceptability and interpretation of sequences with argumental NCIs in subject, object, and both positions when dhen/nu/ne were not present. Our results show that NCIs are negative indefinites whose presenc…
A new approach to Negative Concord: Catalan as a case in point
In this paper, we revisit the phenomenon of Negative Concord focusing on the Strict vs. Non-Strict divide. With Catalan as a case in point, we show that Negative Concord Items (NCIs) are not negative quantifiers (NQs) or polarity items (PIs) but inherently negative indefinites by virtue of carrying a negative feature [neg] that contributes a negative semantics to the proposition and is subject to a syntax–phonology constraint that forces it to ov…
Language dominance in the previously acquired languages modulates rate of third language (L3) development over time: A longitudinal study
This study examines the extent to which extra-linguistic factors such as language dominance, order of acquisition and language of instruction are deterministic for multilingual transfer selection and subsequent development. We test two groups of Catalan-Spanish bilinguals acquiring English as an L3 in a controlled setting. We first examine judgements and interpretations of negative quantifiers and negative polarity items after 16 hours of exposur…
Polarity Items in Basque: Experimental evidence for their existential reading
This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation that looks into the acceptability and interpretation judgements that Basque native speakers give to sentences with multiple i -/ bat ere indefinites in declarative sentences. It is argued that Basque i -/ bat ere indefinites are Polarity Items (PIs) rather than Negative Concord Items (NCIs), as they are consistently associated with an existential reading in unacceptable declarative …
Minimizers and Maximizers as Different Types of Polarity Items
This chapter examines the properties of minimizers and maximizers (i.e. minimal and maximal extent- or quantity-denoting expressions) in English, Catalan, and Spanish. Special emphasis is put on (i) establishing which type of polarity item these expressions align with, and (ii) identifying connections between them and other elements of the polarity landscape such as negative quantifiers and Negative Concord Items. It is shown that different minim…
The diachronic syntax of negated adjuncts in English
The asymmetric behavior of English negative quantifiers in negative sentences
In this paper, the unexpected behavior of object negative quantifiers in some diagnostic tests of sentential negation is accounted for within a Minimalist framework assuming that: (i) negative quantifiers decompose into negation and an existential quantifier; (ii) negative quantifiers are multidominant phrase markers, as Parallel Merge allows the verb to c-select their existential part but not their negative part, thus giving negation remerge fle…
Response Systems: The Syntax and Semantics of Fragment Answers and Response Particles
This article critically reviews the main research issues raised in the study of response systems in natural languages by addressing the syntax and semantics of fragment answers and yes/no response particles. Fragment answers include replies that do not have a sentential form, whereas response particles consist solely of an affirmative or a negative adverb. While the main research question in the syntax of fragments and response particles has been…
Meaning of words and meaning of sentences
On the syntax of English minimizers
Interpreting argumental n-words as answers to negative wh-questions
Prosody and gesture in the interpretation of yes-answers to negative yes/no-questions
In this paper we investigate the role of prosody and gesture in the interpretation of
Double Negation in a Negative Concord language: An experimental investigation
Prosody and gesture constrain the interpretation of double negation
Prosody and gesture constrain the interpretation of double negation
Double Negation in a Negative Concord language: An experimental investigation
Interpreting argumental n-words as answers to negative wh-questions
A new approach to Negative Concord: Catalan as a case in point
In this paper, we revisit the phenomenon of Negative Concord focusing on the Strict vs. Non-Strict divide. With Catalan as a case in point, we show that Negative Concord Items (NCIs) are not negative quantifiers (NQs) or polarity items (PIs) but inherently negative indefinites by virtue of carrying a negative feature [neg] that contributes a negative semantics to the proposition and is subject to a syntax–phonology constraint that forces it to ov…
The asymmetric behavior of English negative quantifiers in negative sentences
In this paper, the unexpected behavior of object negative quantifiers in some diagnostic tests of sentential negation is accounted for within a Minimalist framework assuming that: (i) negative quantifiers decompose into negation and an existential quantifier; (ii) negative quantifiers are multidominant phrase markers, as Parallel Merge allows the verb to c-select their existential part but not their negative part, thus giving negation remerge fle…
On the status of NCIs: An experimental investigation on so-called Strict NC languages
This paper investigates the status of Negative Concord Items (NCIs) in three so-called Strict Negative Concord (NC) languages (namely, Greek, Romanian, and Russian). An experimental study was designed to gather evidence concerning the speakers’ acceptability and interpretation of sequences with argumental NCIs in subject, object, and both positions when dhen/nu/ne were not present. Our results show that NCIs are negative indefinites whose presenc…
Polarity Items in Basque: Experimental evidence for their existential reading
This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation that looks into the acceptability and interpretation judgements that Basque native speakers give to sentences with multiple i -/ bat ere indefinites in declarative sentences. It is argued that Basque i -/ bat ere indefinites are Polarity Items (PIs) rather than Negative Concord Items (NCIs), as they are consistently associated with an existential reading in unacceptable declarative …
Response Systems: The Syntax and Semantics of Fragment Answers and Response Particles
This article critically reviews the main research issues raised in the study of response systems in natural languages by addressing the syntax and semantics of fragment answers and yes/no response particles. Fragment answers include replies that do not have a sentential form, whereas response particles consist solely of an affirmative or a negative adverb. While the main research question in the syntax of fragments and response particles has been…
Prosody and gesture constrain the interpretation of double negation
Prosody and gesture in the interpretation of yes-answers to negative yes/no-questions
In this paper we investigate the role of prosody and gesture in the interpretation of
Double Negation in a Negative Concord language: An experimental investigation
Meaning of words and meaning of sentences
On the syntax of English minimizers
Interpreting argumental n-words as answers to negative wh-questions
Response Systems: The Syntax and Semantics of Fragment Answers and Response Particles
This article critically reviews the main research issues raised in the study of response systems in natural languages by addressing the syntax and semantics of fragment answers and yes/no response particles. Fragment answers include replies that do not have a sentential form, whereas response particles consist solely of an affirmative or a negative adverb. While the main research question in the syntax of fragments and response particles has been…
Minimizers and Maximizers as Different Types of Polarity Items
This chapter examines the properties of minimizers and maximizers (i.e. minimal and maximal extent- or quantity-denoting expressions) in English, Catalan, and Spanish. Special emphasis is put on (i) establishing which type of polarity item these expressions align with, and (ii) identifying connections between them and other elements of the polarity landscape such as negative quantifiers and Negative Concord Items. It is shown that different minim…
The diachronic syntax of negated adjuncts in English
The asymmetric behavior of English negative quantifiers in negative sentences
In this paper, the unexpected behavior of object negative quantifiers in some diagnostic tests of sentential negation is accounted for within a Minimalist framework assuming that: (i) negative quantifiers decompose into negation and an existential quantifier; (ii) negative quantifiers are multidominant phrase markers, as Parallel Merge allows the verb to c-select their existential part but not their negative part, thus giving negation remerge fle…
Language dominance in the previously acquired languages modulates rate of third language (L3) development over time: A longitudinal study
This study examines the extent to which extra-linguistic factors such as language dominance, order of acquisition and language of instruction are deterministic for multilingual transfer selection and subsequent development. We test two groups of Catalan-Spanish bilinguals acquiring English as an L3 in a controlled setting. We first examine judgements and interpretations of negative quantifiers and negative polarity items after 16 hours of exposur…
Polarity Items in Basque: Experimental evidence for their existential reading
This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation that looks into the acceptability and interpretation judgements that Basque native speakers give to sentences with multiple i -/ bat ere indefinites in declarative sentences. It is argued that Basque i -/ bat ere indefinites are Polarity Items (PIs) rather than Negative Concord Items (NCIs), as they are consistently associated with an existential reading in unacceptable declarative …
Asymmetries in child foreign language acquisition: Production and interpretation of L2 English subjects
Child language acquisition in foreign language contexts with limited exposure is often a slow process where initial stages of development last longer than in L2 contexts or in adult learners. Exploring this context may provide insights into the nature of the acquisition process and how it is reflected in the data. This study explores young learners’ subject pronoun interpretation and realization in their non-native English. Thirty-seven 9-10 year…
On the status of NCIs: An experimental investigation on so-called Strict NC languages
This paper investigates the status of Negative Concord Items (NCIs) in three so-called Strict Negative Concord (NC) languages (namely, Greek, Romanian, and Russian). An experimental study was designed to gather evidence concerning the speakers’ acceptability and interpretation of sequences with argumental NCIs in subject, object, and both positions when dhen/nu/ne were not present. Our results show that NCIs are negative indefinites whose presenc…
A new approach to Negative Concord: Catalan as a case in point
In this paper, we revisit the phenomenon of Negative Concord focusing on the Strict vs. Non-Strict divide. With Catalan as a case in point, we show that Negative Concord Items (NCIs) are not negative quantifiers (NQs) or polarity items (PIs) but inherently negative indefinites by virtue of carrying a negative feature [neg] that contributes a negative semantics to the proposition and is subject to a syntax–phonology constraint that forces it to ov…
Establishing the limits between polarity sensitivity, negative polarity and negative concord
In this paper, by focussing on the behaviour of polarity elements from a variety of languages from different language families (namely, Basque, Hindi, English, Romanian, Spanish, Greek, Czech, and Russian) we investigate the relationship between polarity sensitive items (PSIs) and negative polarity items (NPIs) on the one hand, and between PSIs and negative concord items (NCIs) on the other. Based on a number of contrasts that we find, we argue t…
Vulgar Minimisers in English and Spanish 1
In this paper, we investigated whether vulgar minimisers form a natural class in English and Spanish by evaluating (i) their similarities and differences with respect to non‐vulgar minimisers and (ii) whether vulgar minimisers are inherently negative in these languages. We proposed that vulgar minimisers in the two languages are lexically ambiguous between polarity‐sensitive items and quasi‐negative expressions containing a local negation as part…
Linguistics (16 works) · Philosophy (14 works) · Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation (13 works) · Psychology (11 works) · Computer Science (10 works) · Negation (9 works) · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies (8 works) · Philosophy (7 works) · Mathematics (6 works) · Catalan (5 works)