Non-definiteness and Plurality
Institut Libre Marie Haps, Université Libre de Bruxelles / University of Antwerp
This collection of studies by leading scholars in the field focuses on the semantics of non-definite (bare and indefinite) plural NPs. The contributions in the first part concentrate on bare plurals and their cross-linguistic counterparts. They discuss applicability of the notion of ‘semantic incorporation’ to bare plurals by contrasting them to bare singulars, with the aim of accounting for the interaction between the semantics of number and the degree of (in)dependency of the NP with respect to the verb. The articles in the second part examine the relationship between the semantics of number and the semantics of aspect. The contributions in the third part concentrate on non-definite numerical noun phrases by addressing a range of fundamental questions such as: the semantics of indefinite time-phrases, numericals in classifier- and non-classifier languages, scope interactions, the at least- and exactly-readings, referential properties of numericals. The volume will be welcomed by linguists interested in the semantics of number in non-definite NPs.
[Linguistik Aktuell/Linguistics Today, 95]
2006.
vi, 358 pp.
Publishing status: Available
Hardbound – Available
ISBN
9789027233592
|
EUR
125.00
|
USD
188.00
e-Book – Sold by e-book platforms
ISBN
9789027293176
|
EUR
125.00
|
USD
188.00
Table of Contents
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Introduction
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1–32
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Part I. Non-definiteness, Plurality, and Incorporation
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The meaningful bounds of incorporation
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35–50
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Bare nouns, number and types of incorporation
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51–79
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The unmarked determiner
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81–105
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Bare objects in Korean: (Pseudo-)incorporation and (in)definiteness
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107–132
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Bare plurals in object position: Which verbs fail to give existential readings, and why?
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133–157
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Part II. Alternatives to the Incorporation Approach
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Aspectual implications of the semantics of plural indefinites
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161–189
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Indefinites, quantifiers and pluractionals: What scope effects tell us about event pluralities
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191–217
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Generic sentences and bare plurals
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219–234
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Part III. Numerical Non-definites
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Indefinite t ime phrases, in situ scope, and dual-perspective intensionality
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237–266
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Identity of the domain of quantification for numerals
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267–290
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Scope shift with numeral indefinites: Syntax or processing?
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291–310
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Take ‘five’: The meaning and use of a number word
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311–329
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The semantics of paranumerals
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331–353
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Index
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355–358
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Quotes
“I recommend this book to anyone interested in the recent advances in the description and theory of bare plurals, bare singulars, and numeral phrases and in the relevance of aspect in relation to these expressions.”
Eric Mathieu,
University of Ottawa, in Journal of Linguistics 43, 2007
Subjects
Benjamins Subject classification
Linguistics
BIC Subject
CF: Linguistics
BISAC Subject
LAN009000: LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics
U.S. Library of Congress Control Number: 2006049883