Scalar bounds and expected values of comparatively modified numerals
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21565150 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Christoph Hesse (0000-0002-7773-8762, Leibniz-Centre General Linguistics, corresponding author), Anton Benz (0000-0002-1128-6636, Leibniz-Centre General Linguistics) |
| Year | 2020 |
| Volume | 111 |
| Pages | 104068 |
| Publication date | 2020-04-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Memory and Language (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0749-596X • E-ISSN: 1096-0821 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.jml.2019.104068 |
| OpenAlex | W2992277256 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 24 |
Speakers routinely employ world knowledge to draw scalar implicatures in numerals. For instance, in the context of ‘an exceptionally hot summer’, speakers will use their knowledge of average summer temperatures and record temperatures to construct a range of potential values. However, it is not clear how they do so when they do not have strong expectations or context is less informative. 1270 adult American English native speakers were shown short dialogues and stories containing numerals modified by ‘more than’ and ‘fewer than,’ and were asked to estimate the range of potential values and to name the potential value they thought was most likely. Results show the most likely value follows a Weber fraction relative to the numeral’s order of magnitude and preferences for certain boundaries of the range shift according to a similar Weber fraction. The similarity between the Weber fractions found and the acuity of the approximate number system (ANS) suggests that the ANS bootstraps scalar implicature in comparatively modified numerals whenever context is not informative enough to refine experiential beliefs about the range and likelihood of potential values. Contrary to previous findings, roundness of the modified numeral does not play a crucial role
Arithmetic · Geography · Geometry · Linguistics · Numeral system · Statistics · Cognitive and developmental aspects of mathematical skills · Mathematics · Mathematics Education and Teaching Techniques · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology
The Handbook of Contemporary Semantic Theory
Probabilistic Linguistics
Time required for Judgements of Numerical Inequality
Varieties of numerical abilities
Cross-linguistic regularities in the frequency of number words
Bootstrap Methods
The universal density of measurement
How to Grow a Mind
Electrospun radially oriented berberine-PHBV nanofiber dressing patches for accelerating diabetic wound healing
A New Look at the Semantics and Pragmatics of Numerically Quantified Noun Phrases
"Developmental change in the acuity of the "number sense
A power primer
On measurement and quantification
| Citations per year | 0.8 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2021 - 2026 (6) |
| Highly cited | No |