Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: We present an investigation of the ways in which speakers' subjective perspectives are likely to affect the meaning of gradable adjectives liketallorheavy. We present the results of a study showing that people tend to use themselves as a yardstick when ascribing these adjectives to human figures of varied measurements: subjects' height and weight requirements for applyingtallandheavyare found to be positively correlated with their personal measurements. We draw more general lessons regarding the definition of subjectivity and the ways in which a standard of comparison and a significant deviation from that standard are specified.
Source: Mind & Language
DOI: 10.1111/mila.12184
Authors: Steven Verheyen, Sabrina Dewil, Paul Égré
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2800813648