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When scope meets modality: The scope of indefinites in subjunctive environments

  • Javier Gutiérrez-Rexach
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Abstract

In this paper, the claim that subjunctive mood affects the referential possibilities of Spanish indefinite DPs is reexamined. A host of new data is considered with the goal of framing the issue in the context of current debates on the semantics of these terms. It is also shown that purely-semantic accounts cannot explain why relative clauses seem to behave as stronger blocking environments than other structurally-similar domains. The proper explanation lies at the syntax/semantics interface and explores how restrictions on the derivation of relative clauses prevent certain indexing possibilities.

Abstract

In this paper, the claim that subjunctive mood affects the referential possibilities of Spanish indefinite DPs is reexamined. A host of new data is considered with the goal of framing the issue in the context of current debates on the semantics of these terms. It is also shown that purely-semantic accounts cannot explain why relative clauses seem to behave as stronger blocking environments than other structurally-similar domains. The proper explanation lies at the syntax/semantics interface and explores how restrictions on the derivation of relative clauses prevent certain indexing possibilities.

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