Work

Typical use of quantifiers: A probabilistic speaker model

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: Many natural language quantifiers are classically associated with a stringent binary semantics, and similarly categorical pragmatic enrichments.But much experimental data shows that intuitions about appropriateness of use seem to be more fuzzy and more subtle, yet highly regular nonetheless.To account for these gradient typicality judgements, I sketch a new probabilistic model of Gricean speakers that incorporates a gradient notion of utterance alternatives.Focusing on scalar quantifier some, the model is a proof of concept, against expressed views to the contrary, that typicality and scalar inferences can be treated on a par.

Source: eScholarship (California Digital Library)

Author: Franke, Michael

Institution: University of Amsterdam

Language: English

Topic: Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation

Subfield: Language and Linguistics

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek

Award: Models of Language Evolution and the Topology of Semantic Space: The Case of Gradable Adjectives

OpenAlex ID: W2398176294

FWCI: 10.54

Cites: 22

Cited by: 11

Related to: 10