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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