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Semantics(Grundkurs Linguistik)
Karoly Varasdi
November 24, 2016
What is Semantics?
Oxford English Dictionary
semantics (noun)
1 the study of the meanings of words and phrases2 the meaning of words, phrases or systems
flabbergasted (adj.) extremely surprised or shockedSynonym: astonished
Friends were flabbergasted by the news that they’dsplit up.She was too flabbergasted to speak.
Describing the meaning(s) of a word −→ Lexicography 6= Semantics
What is Semantics?
Oxford English Dictionary
semantics (noun)
1 the study of the meanings of words and phrases2 the meaning of words, phrases or systems
flabbergasted (adj.) extremely surprised or shockedSynonym: astonished
Friends were flabbergasted by the news that they’dsplit up.She was too flabbergasted to speak.
Describing the meaning(s) of a word −→ Lexicography 6= Semantics
What is Semantics?
Oxford English Dictionary
semantics (noun)
1 the study of the meanings of words and phrases2 the meaning of words, phrases or systems
flabbergasted (adj.) extremely surprised or shockedSynonym: astonished
Friends were flabbergasted by the news that they’dsplit up.She was too flabbergasted to speak.
Describing the meaning(s) of a word −→ Lexicography 6= Semantics
What is Semantics?
Oxford English Dictionary
semantics (noun)
1 the study of the meanings of words and phrases2 the meaning of words, phrases or systems
flabbergasted (adj.) extremely surprised or shockedSynonym: astonished
Friends were flabbergasted by the news that they’dsplit up.She was too flabbergasted to speak.
Describing the meaning(s) of a word −→ Lexicography
6= Semantics
What is Semantics?
Oxford English Dictionary
semantics (noun)
1 the study of the meanings of words and phrases2 the meaning of words, phrases or systems
flabbergasted (adj.) extremely surprised or shockedSynonym: astonished
Friends were flabbergasted by the news that they’dsplit up.She was too flabbergasted to speak.
Describing the meaning(s) of a word −→ Lexicography 6= Semantics
What is Semantics?
Semantics works with linguistic data
It forms hypotheses and theories to explain those data
What we’re going to do
We are going to look at a concrete example now.
What is Semantics?
Semantics works with linguistic data
It forms hypotheses and theories to explain those data
What we’re going to do
We are going to look at a concrete example now.
What is Semantics?
Semantics works with linguistic data
It forms hypotheses and theories to explain those data
What we’re going to do
We are going to look at a concrete example now.
What is Semantics?
Semantics works with linguistic data
It forms hypotheses and theories to explain those data
What we’re going to do
We are going to look at a concrete example now.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.
b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.
b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.
b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.
b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.
b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.
b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.
b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.
b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.
b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.
b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.
b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.
b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.
b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.
b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.
b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.
b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.
b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.
b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.
b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.
b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.
b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.
b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.
b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.
b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.
b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.
b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.
b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.
b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.
b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.
b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.
b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.
b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.
b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.
b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.
b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.
b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.
b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.
b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.
b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.
b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.
b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.
b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.
b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.
b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.
b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.
b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Data
(1) a. Mary didn’t see any famous paintings in the exhibition.b. #Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition.
(2) a. Fido won’t ever leave you.b. #Fido will ever leave you.
(3) a. Rob hasn’t written the article yet.b. #Rob has written the article yet.
(4) a. I don’t like that at all.b. #I like that at all.
(5) a. They didn’t lift a finger to help her.b. #They lifted a finger to help her.
(6) a. John doesn’t give a damn if he’s late for work.b. #John gives a damn if he’s late for work.
Negative Polarity Items (NPI’s)
(1) a. Mary did not see any famous paintings in the exhibition. 3
b. Mary did not saw any famous paintings in the exhibition. 7
c. Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition. 3
Our data appear to show that:
1 there are special expressions in English that can only co-occurwith the negation word “not”
2 e.g.: any, ever, yet, lift a finger, give a damn, . . .
Negative Polarity Items (NPI)
Such expressions are called negative polarity items, or NPI’s for short.
Negative Polarity Items (NPI’s)
(1) a. Mary did not see any famous paintings in the exhibition. 3
b. Mary did not saw any famous paintings in the exhibition. 7
c. Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition. 3
Our data appear to show that:
1 there are special expressions in English that can only co-occurwith the negation word “not”
2 e.g.: any, ever, yet, lift a finger, give a damn, . . .
Negative Polarity Items (NPI)
Such expressions are called negative polarity items, or NPI’s for short.
Negative Polarity Items (NPI’s)
(1) a. Mary did not see any famous paintings in the exhibition. 3
b. Mary did not saw any famous paintings in the exhibition. 7
c. Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition. 3
Our data appear to show that:
1 there are special expressions in English that can only co-occurwith the negation word “not”
2 e.g.: any, ever, yet, lift a finger, give a damn, . . .
Negative Polarity Items (NPI)
Such expressions are called negative polarity items, or NPI’s for short.
Negative Polarity Items (NPI’s)
(1) a. Mary did not see any famous paintings in the exhibition. 3
b. Mary did not saw any famous paintings in the exhibition. 7
c. Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition. 3
Our data appear to show that:
1 there are special expressions in English that can only co-occurwith the negation word “not”
2 e.g.: any, ever, yet, lift a finger, give a damn, . . .
Negative Polarity Items (NPI)
Such expressions are called negative polarity items, or NPI’s for short.
Negative Polarity Items (NPI’s)
(1) a. Mary did not see any famous paintings in the exhibition. 3
b. Mary did not saw any famous paintings in the exhibition. 7
c. Mary saw any famous paintings in the exhibition. 3
Our data appear to show that:
1 there are special expressions in English that can only co-occurwith the negation word “not”
2 e.g.: any, ever, yet, lift a finger, give a damn, . . .
Negative Polarity Items (NPI)
Such expressions are called negative polarity items, or NPI’s for short.
NPI’s in German
Es ist nicht der Fall, daß er jemals im Jemen war.
Es stimmt nicht, daß er in irgendwelche Affaren verwickelt ist.
Er hat ihr kein Haar gekrummt.
Er hat keinen Finger geruhrt.
Es fallt ihr im Traum nicht ein, ihm zu helfen.
Ich habe keine Sekunde daran gezweifelt.
Research question
Observation: NPI’s can occur in some sentences but they are excludedin other sentences.
Question
What licences NPI’s in a sentence?
Research question
Observation: NPI’s can occur in some sentences but they are excludedin other sentences.
Question
What licences NPI’s in a sentence?
Let’s make a hypothesis
Hypothesis-1
NPI’s are licensed by the presence of the word not in the sentence.
Does this hypothesis cover all available data?
it certainly explains sentences (1)–(6) above
We have to look for potentially refuting data!
if we cannot find such refuting data, we have a working theoryif we find refuting data, we have to modify our hypothesis
Let’s make a hypothesis
Hypothesis-1
NPI’s are licensed by the presence of the word not in the sentence.
Does this hypothesis cover all available data?
it certainly explains sentences (1)–(6) above
We have to look for potentially refuting data!
if we cannot find such refuting data, we have a working theoryif we find refuting data, we have to modify our hypothesis
Let’s make a hypothesis
Hypothesis-1
NPI’s are licensed by the presence of the word not in the sentence.
Does this hypothesis cover all available data?
it certainly explains sentences (1)–(6) above
We have to look for potentially refuting data!
if we cannot find such refuting data, we have a working theoryif we find refuting data, we have to modify our hypothesis
Let’s make a hypothesis
Hypothesis-1
NPI’s are licensed by the presence of the word not in the sentence.
Does this hypothesis cover all available data?
it certainly explains sentences (1)–(6) above
We have to look for potentially refuting data!
if we cannot find such refuting data, we have a working theoryif we find refuting data, we have to modify our hypothesis
Let’s make a hypothesis
Hypothesis-1
NPI’s are licensed by the presence of the word not in the sentence.
Does this hypothesis cover all available data?
it certainly explains sentences (1)–(6) above
We have to look for potentially refuting data!
if we cannot find such refuting data, we have a working theory
if we find refuting data, we have to modify our hypothesis
Let’s make a hypothesis
Hypothesis-1
NPI’s are licensed by the presence of the word not in the sentence.
Does this hypothesis cover all available data?
it certainly explains sentences (1)–(6) above
We have to look for potentially refuting data!
if we cannot find such refuting data, we have a working theoryif we find refuting data, we have to modify our hypothesis
New data
(7) a. No guards reported any suspicious visitors.b. #Some guards reported any suspicious visitors.
(8) a. Less then five people have ever gone into that zone.b. #A lot of people have ever gone into that zone.
(9) a. At most five astronauts have been to the Moon yet.b. #At least five astronauts have been to the Moon yet.c. #Exactly five astronauts have been to the Moon yet.
Observation
Some sentences can have NPI’s even though the word not is notpresent in them.
New data
(7) a. No guards reported any suspicious visitors.b. #Some guards reported any suspicious visitors.
(8) a. Less then five people have ever gone into that zone.b. #A lot of people have ever gone into that zone.
(9) a. At most five astronauts have been to the Moon yet.b. #At least five astronauts have been to the Moon yet.c. #Exactly five astronauts have been to the Moon yet.
Observation
Some sentences can have NPI’s even though the word not is notpresent in them.
Looking for common properties
What is common to sentences containing
not
no guards, less then five people, at most five astronauts
that makes them different from sentences containing
some guards, a lot of people, (at least) five astronauts
An apparent common feature
They express the total absence or the presence of too little quantity ofsomething (guards, people, astronauts).
Looking for common properties
What is common to sentences containing
not
no guards, less then five people, at most five astronauts
that makes them different from sentences containing
some guards, a lot of people, (at least) five astronauts
An apparent common feature
They express the total absence or the presence of too little quantity ofsomething (guards, people, astronauts).
Hypothesis-1 + new data −→ Hypothesis-2
Hypothesis-2
NPI’s are licensed by the presence of a phrase in the sentence thatexpresses the presence of too little or no quantity of something.
Does this new hypothesis cover all available data?
it appears to explain sentences (1)–(9) above
We have to look for potentially refuting data!
if we cannot find such refuting data, we have a working theoryif we find refuting data, we have to modify our hypothesis
Hypothesis-1 + new data −→ Hypothesis-2
Hypothesis-2
NPI’s are licensed by the presence of a phrase in the sentence thatexpresses the presence of too little or no quantity of something.
Does this new hypothesis cover all available data?
it appears to explain sentences (1)–(9) above
We have to look for potentially refuting data!
if we cannot find such refuting data, we have a working theoryif we find refuting data, we have to modify our hypothesis
Hypothesis-1 + new data −→ Hypothesis-2
Hypothesis-2
NPI’s are licensed by the presence of a phrase in the sentence thatexpresses the presence of too little or no quantity of something.
Does this new hypothesis cover all available data?
it appears to explain sentences (1)–(9) above
We have to look for potentially refuting data!
if we cannot find such refuting data, we have a working theoryif we find refuting data, we have to modify our hypothesis
Hypothesis-1 + new data −→ Hypothesis-2
Hypothesis-2
NPI’s are licensed by the presence of a phrase in the sentence thatexpresses the presence of too little or no quantity of something.
Does this new hypothesis cover all available data?
it appears to explain sentences (1)–(9) above
We have to look for potentially refuting data!
if we cannot find such refuting data, we have a working theoryif we find refuting data, we have to modify our hypothesis
Hypothesis-1 + new data −→ Hypothesis-2
Hypothesis-2
NPI’s are licensed by the presence of a phrase in the sentence thatexpresses the presence of too little or no quantity of something.
Does this new hypothesis cover all available data?
it appears to explain sentences (1)–(9) above
We have to look for potentially refuting data!
if we cannot find such refuting data, we have a working theoryif we find refuting data, we have to modify our hypothesis
Hypothesis-1 + new data −→ Hypothesis-2
Hypothesis-2
NPI’s are licensed by the presence of a phrase in the sentence thatexpresses the presence of too little or no quantity of something.
Does this new hypothesis cover all available data?
it appears to explain sentences (1)–(9) above
We have to look for potentially refuting data!
if we cannot find such refuting data, we have a working theoryif we find refuting data, we have to modify our hypothesis
The hypotheses so far
Hypothesis-1
NPI’s are licensed by the the word not in the sentence → refuted
Hypothesis-2
NPI’s are licensed by the presence of a phrase in the sentence thatexpresses the presence of too little or no quantity of something.
New data
(10) a. Every tourist who has ever been to the Louvre enjoyed it.b. #Some tourists who have ever been to the Louvre enjoyed it.
All of them
every tourist doesn’t express “the presence of too little or no quantity”of tourists; on the contrary.
New data
(10) a. Every tourist who has ever been to the Louvre enjoyed it.b. #Some tourists who have ever been to the Louvre enjoyed it.
All of them
every tourist doesn’t express “the presence of too little or no quantity”of tourists; on the contrary.
New data
(10) a. Every tourist who has ever been to the Louvre enjoyed it.b. #Some tourists who have ever been to the Louvre enjoyed it.
All of them
every tourist doesn’t express “the presence of too little or no quantity”of tourists; on the contrary.
New hypothesis
Hypothesis-2 + new data −→ Hypothesis-3
Hypothesis-3
NPI’s are licensed by a phrase in the sentence that expresses thepresence of too little or no or all the quantity of something.
We have a problem
Hypothesis-3 explains nothing: it cannot be used to make clearpredictions.
New hypothesis
Hypothesis-2 + new data −→ Hypothesis-3
Hypothesis-3
NPI’s are licensed by a phrase in the sentence that expresses thepresence of too little or no or all the quantity of something.
We have a problem
Hypothesis-3 explains nothing: it cannot be used to make clearpredictions.
New hypothesis
Hypothesis-2 + new data −→ Hypothesis-3
Hypothesis-3
NPI’s are licensed by a phrase in the sentence that expresses thepresence of too little or no or all the quantity of something.
We have a problem
Hypothesis-3 explains nothing: it cannot be used to make clearpredictions.
More data
More bad news
Even worse, every tourist sometimes allows NPI’s and sometimesdisallows them.
(11) a. Every tourist who has been to the National Gallery musthave seen paintings by Turner. → no NPI here
b. Every tourist who has ever been to the National Gallerymust have seen paintings by Turner. → NPI is okay
c. #Every tourist who has been to the National Gallery musthave seen any paintings by Turner. → NPI is not okay
We are stuck
There must be some rule licensing NPI’s, but we seem to be gettingfarther and farther away from discovering it.
More data
More bad news
Even worse, every tourist sometimes allows NPI’s and sometimesdisallows them.
(11) a. Every tourist who has been to the National Gallery musthave seen paintings by Turner. → no NPI here
b. Every tourist who has ever been to the National Gallerymust have seen paintings by Turner. → NPI is okay
c. #Every tourist who has been to the National Gallery musthave seen any paintings by Turner. → NPI is not okay
We are stuck
There must be some rule licensing NPI’s, but we seem to be gettingfarther and farther away from discovering it.
Structure
Sentences are not structureless sequences of words. Let’s lookat the structure of our data sentences.
Structure (note this down)
Det: Determiner (no, every, at least three, few, a lot of, . . . )
N: Noun (guard, astronaut, people, cars, . . . )
Mod: optional Modifier (in the museum, under the chair, that I know, . . . )
VP: Verb Phrase (reported suspicious visitors, laughed, talked to Mary, . . . )
N: N-bar (N+Mod)
NP: Noun Phrase (Det+N)
GQ: Generalized Quantifier (Det+Restrictor)
Structure (note this down)
Det: Determiner (no, every, at least three, few, a lot of, . . . )
N: Noun (guard, astronaut, people, cars, . . . )
Mod: optional Modifier (in the museum, under the chair, that I know, . . . )
VP: Verb Phrase (reported suspicious visitors, laughed, talked to Mary, . . . )
N: N-bar (N+Mod)
NP: Noun Phrase (Det+N)
GQ: Generalized Quantifier (Det+Restrictor)
Structure (note this down)
Det: Determiner (no, every, at least three, few, a lot of, . . . )
N: Noun (guard, astronaut, people, cars, . . . )
Mod: optional Modifier (in the museum, under the chair, that I know, . . . )
VP: Verb Phrase (reported suspicious visitors, laughed, talked to Mary, . . . )
N: N-bar (N+Mod)
NP: Noun Phrase (Det+N)
GQ: Generalized Quantifier (Det+Restrictor)
Structure (note this down)
Det: Determiner (no, every, at least three, few, a lot of, . . . )
N: Noun (guard, astronaut, people, cars, . . . )
Mod: optional Modifier (in the museum, under the chair, that I know, . . . )
VP: Verb Phrase (reported suspicious visitors, laughed, talked to Mary, . . . )
N: N-bar (N+Mod)
NP: Noun Phrase (Det+N)
GQ: Generalized Quantifier (Det+Restrictor)
Structure (note this down)
Det: Determiner (no, every, at least three, few, a lot of, . . . )
N: Noun (guard, astronaut, people, cars, . . . )
Mod: optional Modifier (in the museum, under the chair, that I know, . . . )
VP: Verb Phrase (reported suspicious visitors, laughed, talked to Mary, . . . )
N: N-bar (N+Mod)
NP: Noun Phrase (Det+N)
GQ: Generalized Quantifier (Det+Restrictor)
Structure (note this down)
Det: Determiner (no, every, at least three, few, a lot of, . . . )
N: Noun (guard, astronaut, people, cars, . . . )
Mod: optional Modifier (in the museum, under the chair, that I know, . . . )
VP: Verb Phrase (reported suspicious visitors, laughed, talked to Mary, . . . )
N: N-bar (N+Mod)
NP: Noun Phrase (Det+N)
GQ: Generalized Quantifier (Det+Restrictor)
Structure (note this down)
Det: Determiner (no, every, at least three, few, a lot of, . . . )
N: Noun (guard, astronaut, people, cars, . . . )
Mod: optional Modifier (in the museum, under the chair, that I know, . . . )
VP: Verb Phrase (reported suspicious visitors, laughed, talked to Mary, . . . )
N: N-bar (N+Mod)
NP: Noun Phrase (Det+N)
GQ: Generalized Quantifier (Det+Restrictor)
Structure (note this down)
Det: Determiner (no, every, at least three, few, a lot of, . . . )
N: Noun (guard, astronaut, people, cars, . . . )
Mod: optional Modifier (in the museum, under the chair, that I know, . . . )
VP: Verb Phrase (reported suspicious visitors, laughed, talked to Mary, . . . )
N: N-bar (N+Mod)
NP: Noun Phrase (Det+N)
GQ: Generalized Quantifier (Det+Restrictor)
Structure (note this down)
Det: Determiner (no, every, at least three, few, a lot of, . . . )
N: Noun (guard, astronaut, people, cars, . . . )
Mod: optional Modifier (in the museum, under the chair, that I know, . . . )
VP: Verb Phrase (reported suspicious visitors, laughed, talked to Mary, . . . )
N: N-bar (N+Mod)
NP: Noun Phrase (Det+N)
GQ: Generalized Quantifier (Det+Restrictor)
Structure (note this down)
Det: Determiner (no, every, at least three, few, a lot of, . . . )
N: Noun (guard, astronaut, people, cars, . . . )
Mod: optional Modifier (in the museum, under the chair, that I know, . . . )
VP: Verb Phrase (reported suspicious visitors, laughed, talked to Mary, . . . )
N: N-bar (N+Mod)
NP: Noun Phrase (Det+N)
GQ: Generalized Quantifier (Det+Restrictor)
Structure (note this down)
Det: Determiner (no, every, at least three, few, a lot of, . . . )
N: Noun (guard, astronaut, people, cars, . . . )
Mod: optional Modifier (in the museum, under the chair, that I know, . . . )
VP: Verb Phrase (reported suspicious visitors, laughed, talked to Mary, . . . )
N: N-bar (N+Mod)
NP: Noun Phrase (Det+N)
GQ: Generalized Quantifier (Det+Restrictor)
Structure
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷More than six︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷dogs
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷in the kennel︸ ︷︷ ︸Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷belonged to John︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Some︸ ︷︷ ︸Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷people︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷were waiting for us︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Structure
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷More than six︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷dogs
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷in the kennel︸ ︷︷ ︸Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷belonged to John︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Some︸ ︷︷ ︸Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷people︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷were waiting for us︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Structure
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷question
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷that Bill had︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷was answered immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Less than five︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷astronauts︸ ︷︷ ︸Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷have been to the Moon︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
DET (Restrictor)︸ ︷︷ ︸first position
(Scope)︸ ︷︷ ︸second position
Structure
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷question
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷that Bill had︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷was answered immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Less than five︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷astronauts︸ ︷︷ ︸Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷have been to the Moon︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
DET (Restrictor)︸ ︷︷ ︸first position
(Scope)︸ ︷︷ ︸second position
Structure
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷question
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷that Bill had︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷was answered immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Less than five︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷astronauts︸ ︷︷ ︸Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷have been to the Moon︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
DET (Restrictor)︸ ︷︷ ︸first position
(Scope)︸ ︷︷ ︸second position
Testing NPI’s in different positions of various determiners
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷No︸ ︷︷ ︸Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷who I ever met︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷has found anything there︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷who has ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷who has seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Testing NPI’s in different positions of various determiners
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷No︸ ︷︷ ︸Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷who I ever met︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷has found anything there︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷who has ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷who has seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Testing NPI’s in different positions of various determiners
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷No︸ ︷︷ ︸Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷who I ever met︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷has found anything there︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷who has ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷who has seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Testing NPI’s in different positions of various determiners
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷No︸ ︷︷ ︸Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷who I ever met︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷has found anything there︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷who has ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
N︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist
Mod︷ ︸︸ ︷who has seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Summing up NPI behavior
DetRestrictor Scope
NPI here? NPI here?
no 3 3
some/a 7 7
less then five 3 3
at most five 3 3
at least five 7 7
every/all 3 7
Question
What is behind this pattern?
Summing up NPI behavior
DetRestrictor Scope
NPI here? NPI here?
no 3 3
some/a 7 7
less then five 3 3
at most five 3 3
at least five 7 7
every/all 3 7
Question
What is behind this pattern?
Subordinate and superordinate properties (note this down)
astronaut is a subordinate property of discoverer
astronaut is a subordinate property of human
discoverer is a subordinate property of human
Subordinate and superordinate properties (note this down)
discoverer is a superordinate property of astronaut
astronaut is a subordinate property of human
discoverer is a subordinate property of human
Subordinate and superordinate properties (note this down)
discoverer is a superordinate property of astronaut
human is a superordinate property of astronaut
discoverer is a subordinate property of human
Subordinate and superordinate properties (note this down)
discoverer is a superordinate property of astronaut
human is a superordinate property of astronaut
human is a superordinate property of discoverer
Entailment patterns with some
Some astronauts can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
∴ Some humans can play the guitar
Some
Some is an upward entailing determiner in the Restrictor position.
Some
Some is an upward entailing determiner in the Restrictor position.
Some
Some is an upward entailing determiner in the Restrictor position.
Some
Some is an upward entailing determiner in the Restrictor position.
Some
Some is an upward entailing determiner in the Restrictor position.
Some
Some is an upward entailing determiner in the Restrictor position.
Some
Some is an upward entailing determiner in the Restrictor position.
Case 1: Determiners upward entailing in the Restrictor
Case 1: Determiners upward entailing in the Restrictor
Case 1: Determiners upward entailing in the Restrictor
Case 1: Determiners upward entailing in the Restrictor
Case 1: Determiners upward entailing in the Restrictor
Case 1: Determiners upward entailing in the Restrictor
Case 1: Determiners upward entailing in the Restrictor
Case 1: Determiners upward entailing in the Restrictor
Determiners upward entailing in the Restrictor
An astronaut can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
∴ A human can play the guitar
Some astronauts can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
∴ Some humans can play the guitar
At least five astronauts can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
∴ At least five humans can play the guitar
But not:
At most five astronauts can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
6∴ At most five humans can play the guitar
Determiners upward entailing in the Restrictor
An astronaut can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
∴ A human can play the guitar
Some astronauts can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
∴ Some humans can play the guitar
At least five astronauts can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
∴ At least five humans can play the guitar
But not:
At most five astronauts can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
6∴ At most five humans can play the guitar
Determiners upward entailing in the Restrictor
An astronaut can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
∴ A human can play the guitar
Some astronauts can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
∴ Some humans can play the guitar
At least five astronauts can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
∴ At least five humans can play the guitar
But not:
At most five astronauts can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
6∴ At most five humans can play the guitar
Determiners upward entailing in the Restrictor
An astronaut can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
∴ A human can play the guitar
Some astronauts can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
∴ Some humans can play the guitar
At least five astronauts can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
∴ At least five humans can play the guitar
But not:
At most five astronauts can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [human]
6∴ At most five humans can play the guitar
Case 2: Determiners downward entailing in the Restrictor
Case 2: Determiners downward entailing in the Restrictor
Case 2: Determiners downward entailing in the Restrictor
Case 2: Determiners downward entailing in the Restrictor
Case 2: Determiners downward entailing in the Restrictor
Case 2: Determiners downward entailing in the Restrictor
Case 2: Determiners downward entailing in the Restrictor
Determiners downward entailing in the Restrictor
No discoverer can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
∴ No astronaut can play the guitar
At most five discoverers can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
∴ At most five astronauts can play the guitar
Less then ten discoverers can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
∴ Less than ten astronauts can play the guitar
But not:
More than three discoverers can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
6∴ More than three astronauts can play the guitar
Determiners downward entailing in the Restrictor
No discoverer can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
∴ No astronaut can play the guitar
At most five discoverers can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
∴ At most five astronauts can play the guitar
Less then ten discoverers can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
∴ Less than ten astronauts can play the guitar
But not:
More than three discoverers can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
6∴ More than three astronauts can play the guitar
Determiners downward entailing in the Restrictor
No discoverer can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
∴ No astronaut can play the guitar
At most five discoverers can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
∴ At most five astronauts can play the guitar
Less then ten discoverers can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
∴ Less than ten astronauts can play the guitar
But not:
More than three discoverers can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
6∴ More than three astronauts can play the guitar
Determiners downward entailing in the Restrictor
No discoverer can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
∴ No astronaut can play the guitar
At most five discoverers can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
∴ At most five astronauts can play the guitar
Less then ten discoverers can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
∴ Less than ten astronauts can play the guitar
But not:
More than three discoverers can play the guitar [astronaut] ⊆ [discoverer]
6∴ More than three astronauts can play the guitar
Subordinate and superordinate properties again (note this down)
can play the guitar is a subordinate property of can play aninstrument: everyone who plays the guitar plays an instrument
can play an instrument is a superordinate property of can play theguitar
. . .
Subordinate and superordinate properties again (note this down)
can play the guitar is a subordinate property of can play aninstrument: everyone who plays the guitar plays an instrument
can play an instrument is a superordinate property of can play theguitar
. . .
Case 3: Determiners upward entailing in the Scope
Case 3: Determiners upward entailing in the Scope
Case 3: Determiners upward entailing in the Scope
Case 3: Determiners upward entailing in the Scope
Case 3: Determiners upward entailing in the Scope
Case 3: Determiners upward entailing in the Scope
Case 3: Determiners upward entailing in the Scope
Case 3: Determiners upward entailing in the Scope
Determiners upward entailing in the Scope
Some astronauts can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ Some astronauts can play an instrument
All astronauts can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ All astronauts can play an instrument
But not:
No astronauts can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
6∴ No astronauts can play an instrument
Determiners upward entailing in the Scope
Some astronauts can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ Some astronauts can play an instrument
All astronauts can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ All astronauts can play an instrument
But not:
No astronauts can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
6∴ No astronauts can play an instrument
Determiners upward entailing in the Scope
Some astronauts can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ Some astronauts can play an instrument
All astronauts can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ All astronauts can play an instrument
But not:
No astronauts can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
6∴ No astronauts can play an instrument
Case 4: Determiners downward entailing in the Scope
Case 4: Determiners downward entailing in the Scope
Case 4: Determiners downward entailing in the Scope
Case 4: Determiners downward entailing in the Scope
Case 4: Determiners downward entailing in the Scope
Case 4: Determiners downward entailing in the Scope
Case 4: Determiners downward entailing in the Scope
Determiners downward entailing in the Scope
No astronauts can play an instrument [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ No astronauts can play the guitar
But not:
All astronauts can play an instrument [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
6∴ All astronauts can play the guitar
Determiners downward entailing in the Scope
No astronauts can play an instrument [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ No astronauts can play the guitar
But not:
All astronauts can play an instrument [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
6∴ All astronauts can play the guitar
Determiners downward entailing in the Scope
No astronauts can play an instrument [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ No astronauts can play the guitar
But not:
All astronauts can play an instrument [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
6∴ All astronauts can play the guitar
Summing up determiners’ polarities
DetRestrictor Scope
polarity? polarity?
no ↓ ↓some/a ↑ ↑
less then five ↓ ↓at most five ↓ ↓at least five ↑ ↑
every/all ↓ ↑
Discovering the connection
DetRestrictor ScopeNPI here? NPI here?
no 3 3some/a 7 7
less then five 3 3at most five 3 3at least five 7 7
every/all 3 7
DetRestrictor Scope
polarity? polarity?
no ↓ ↓some/a ↑ ↑
less then five ↓ ↓at most five ↓ ↓at least five ↑ ↑
every/all ↓ ↑
The relevant property is polarity
NPI’s may only occur in downward entailing positions.
Discovering the connection
DetRestrictor ScopeNPI here? NPI here?
no 3 3some/a 7 7
less then five 3 3at most five 3 3at least five 7 7
every/all 3 7
DetRestrictor Scope
polarity? polarity?
no ↓ ↓some/a ↑ ↑
less then five ↓ ↓at most five ↓ ↓at least five ↑ ↑
every/all ↓ ↑
The relevant property is polarity
NPI’s may only occur in downward entailing positions.
Discovering the connection
DetRestrictor ScopeNPI here? NPI here?
no 3 3some/a 7 7
less then five 3 3at most five 3 3at least five 7 7
every/all 3 7
DetRestrictor Scope
polarity? polarity?
no ↓ ↓some/a ↑ ↑
less then five ↓ ↓at most five ↓ ↓at least five ↑ ↑
every/all ↓ ↑
The relevant property is polarity
NPI’s may only occur in downward entailing positions.
Let’s check it
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist who has ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist who has seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Some︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologists who have ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷No︸ ︷︷ ︸Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist who has ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Let’s check it
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist who has ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist who has seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Some︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologists who have ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷No︸ ︷︷ ︸Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist who has ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Let’s check it
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist who has ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist who has seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Some︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologists who have ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷No︸ ︷︷ ︸Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist who has ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Let’s check it
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist who has ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist who has seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Some︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologists who have ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷No︸ ︷︷ ︸Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist who has ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Let’s check it
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist who has ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Every︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist who has seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷Some︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologists who have ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned immediately︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷No︸ ︷︷ ︸Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologist who has ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷At most three︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologists who have ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷At least three︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologists who have ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
3
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷At most three︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologists who have ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↓︷ ︸︸ ︷said anything︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
7
Det︷ ︸︸ ︷At least three︸ ︷︷ ︸
Det
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷archeologists who have ever seen it︸ ︷︷ ︸
Restrictor
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷resigned︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
Data we haven’t accounted for yet
(12) a. John will not ever leave you.b. #John will ever leave you.
(13) a. Pete does not give a damn.b. #Pete gives a damn.
Data we haven’t accounted for yet
(12) a. John will not ever leave you.b. #John will ever leave you.
(13) a. Pete does not give a damn.b. #Pete gives a damn.
John︸ ︷︷ ︸Det+Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷will leave you︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
John can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ John can play an instrument
Proper names are upward entailing GQ’s
John is upward entailing in its Scope.
7 John︸ ︷︷ ︸Det+Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷will ever leave you︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
John︸ ︷︷ ︸Det+Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷will leave you︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
John can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ John can play an instrument
Proper names are upward entailing GQ’s
John is upward entailing in its Scope.
7 John︸ ︷︷ ︸Det+Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷will ever leave you︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
John︸ ︷︷ ︸Det+Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷will leave you︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
John can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ John can play an instrument
Proper names are upward entailing GQ’s
John is upward entailing in its Scope.
7 John︸ ︷︷ ︸Det+Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷will ever leave you︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
John︸ ︷︷ ︸Det+Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
VP︷ ︸︸ ︷will leave you︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
John can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ John can play an instrument
Proper names are upward entailing GQ’s
John is upward entailing in its Scope.
7 John︸ ︷︷ ︸Det+Restrictor︸ ︷︷ ︸
GQ
↑︷ ︸︸ ︷will ever leave you︸ ︷︷ ︸
Scope
.
What does negation do?
(14) a. #John will ever leave you.b. John will not ever leave you.
What does “not” do?
John can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ John can play an instrument
John can not play an instrument [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ John can not play the guitar
What does negation do?
(14) a. #John will ever leave you.b. John will not ever leave you.
What does “not” do?
John can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ John can play an instrument
John can not play an instrument [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ John can not play the guitar
What does negation do?
(14) a. #John will ever leave you.b. John will not ever leave you.
What does “not” do?
John can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ John can play an instrument
John can not play an instrument [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ John can not play the guitar
What does negation do?
(14) a. #John will ever leave you.b. John will not ever leave you.
What does “not” do?
John can play the guitar [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ John can play an instrument
John can not play an instrument [can play the guitar] ⊆ [can play an instrument]
∴ John can not play the guitar
Reverse logical polarity
The negation word not reverses the position’s logical polarity.
Our final hypothesis
Hypothesis
NPI’s may only occur in downward entailing positions.
This hypothesis explains/predicts the distribution of NPI’s in allthe sentences we have seen
Research does not stop here: we can and should look for furtherdata
(What about questions, for example?)
But we have to stop here for lack of time now
Our final hypothesis
Hypothesis
NPI’s may only occur in downward entailing positions.
This hypothesis explains/predicts the distribution of NPI’s in allthe sentences we have seen
Research does not stop here: we can and should look for furtherdata
(What about questions, for example?)
But we have to stop here for lack of time now
Our final hypothesis
Hypothesis
NPI’s may only occur in downward entailing positions.
This hypothesis explains/predicts the distribution of NPI’s in allthe sentences we have seen
Research does not stop here: we can and should look for furtherdata
(What about questions, for example?)
But we have to stop here for lack of time now
Our final hypothesis
Hypothesis
NPI’s may only occur in downward entailing positions.
This hypothesis explains/predicts the distribution of NPI’s in allthe sentences we have seen
Research does not stop here: we can and should look for furtherdata
(What about questions, for example?)
But we have to stop here for lack of time now
Our final hypothesis
Hypothesis
NPI’s may only occur in downward entailing positions.
This hypothesis explains/predicts the distribution of NPI’s in allthe sentences we have seen
Research does not stop here: we can and should look for furtherdata
(What about questions, for example?)
But we have to stop here for lack of time now
So, what is Semantics?
Semantics is not Lexicography
Semantics uses notions like
(morpho-)syntactic structuretruth/falsitylogical entailment/inference patternsreference/denotation
in order to formulate exact hypotheses and make clear predictionsabout how language works
So, what is Semantics?
Semantics is not Lexicography
Semantics uses notions like
(morpho-)syntactic structuretruth/falsitylogical entailment/inference patternsreference/denotation
in order to formulate exact hypotheses and make clear predictionsabout how language works
So, what is Semantics?
Semantics is not Lexicography
Semantics uses notions like
(morpho-)syntactic structuretruth/falsitylogical entailment/inference patternsreference/denotation
in order to formulate exact hypotheses and make clear predictionsabout how language works
So, what is Semantics?
Semantics is not Lexicography
Semantics uses notions like
(morpho-)syntactic structure
truth/falsitylogical entailment/inference patternsreference/denotation
in order to formulate exact hypotheses and make clear predictionsabout how language works
So, what is Semantics?
Semantics is not Lexicography
Semantics uses notions like
(morpho-)syntactic structuretruth/falsity
logical entailment/inference patternsreference/denotation
in order to formulate exact hypotheses and make clear predictionsabout how language works
So, what is Semantics?
Semantics is not Lexicography
Semantics uses notions like
(morpho-)syntactic structuretruth/falsitylogical entailment/inference patterns
reference/denotation
in order to formulate exact hypotheses and make clear predictionsabout how language works
So, what is Semantics?
Semantics is not Lexicography
Semantics uses notions like
(morpho-)syntactic structuretruth/falsitylogical entailment/inference patternsreference/denotation
in order to formulate exact hypotheses and make clear predictionsabout how language works
So, what is Semantics?
Semantics is not Lexicography
Semantics uses notions like
(morpho-)syntactic structuretruth/falsitylogical entailment/inference patternsreference/denotation
in order to formulate exact hypotheses and make clear predictionsabout how language works