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Kinds of predicates and reference to kinds in Hebrew

Abstract

This article focuses on the optionality of the definite determiner and its effects on the range of interpretations available for singular noun phrases in Hebrew. Three factors contribute to the interpretation of singular nouns in this language: (i) predicate type: kind- and/or object-selecting; (ii) context: episodic or generic; and (iii) syntactic position. I argue that bare singulars in Hebrew can be both kind-referring and indefinites. As kind-referring, they are interpretable through a system of type-shifting operators (Chierchia 1998); as indefinites, they are interpretable via choice functions. The definite determiner is shown to introduce a massifying function or a singularity presupposition, depending on context.

Abstract

This article focuses on the optionality of the definite determiner and its effects on the range of interpretations available for singular noun phrases in Hebrew. Three factors contribute to the interpretation of singular nouns in this language: (i) predicate type: kind- and/or object-selecting; (ii) context: episodic or generic; and (iii) syntactic position. I argue that bare singulars in Hebrew can be both kind-referring and indefinites. As kind-referring, they are interpretable through a system of type-shifting operators (Chierchia 1998); as indefinites, they are interpretable via choice functions. The definite determiner is shown to introduce a massifying function or a singularity presupposition, depending on context.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgments vii
  4. Determiners 1
  5. Part I. The features of determiners
  6. What’s in a determiner and how did it get there? 25
  7. The proper D connection 67
  8. Argumenthood, pronouns, and nominal feature geometry 97
  9. Part II. The function of determiners
  10. From local blocking to Cyclic Agree 123
  11. Kinds of predicates and reference to kinds in Hebrew 159
  12. Part III. Definiteness and beyond
  13. The semantic core of determiners 177
  14. On the presence versus absence of determiners in Malagasy 215
  15. Index 243
Determiners
This chapter is in the book Determiners
https://doi.org/10.1075/la.147.05ton

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgments vii
  4. Determiners 1
  5. Part I. The features of determiners
  6. What’s in a determiner and how did it get there? 25
  7. The proper D connection 67
  8. Argumenthood, pronouns, and nominal feature geometry 97
  9. Part II. The function of determiners
  10. From local blocking to Cyclic Agree 123
  11. Kinds of predicates and reference to kinds in Hebrew 159
  12. Part III. Definiteness and beyond
  13. The semantic core of determiners 177
  14. On the presence versus absence of determiners in Malagasy 215
  15. Index 243
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