Characterizing superlative quantifiers
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Javier Gutiérrez-Rexach✝
Abstract
The present paper develops a semantic analysis of superlative descriptions as a subclass of definite DPs: the definite determiner in superlatives (and not the superlative itself) is analyzed as the locus of the contextual restrictions. Evidence from presuppositions and from different dependent readings of superlatives supports the parallel between superlatives and definites. I also show that a distinction should be drawn between two types of contextual restriction: the context set of the definite and the frame of comparison of the superlative. The paper further discusses the role of focus in the comparative reading of superlatives in an array of constructions such as existential sentences and focused quantifiers such as everybody, several X and many X. Finally, I show that the hypotheses introduced are sufficient to explain the much debated “upstairs de dicto” reading (Heim 1999).
Abstract
The present paper develops a semantic analysis of superlative descriptions as a subclass of definite DPs: the definite determiner in superlatives (and not the superlative itself) is analyzed as the locus of the contextual restrictions. Evidence from presuppositions and from different dependent readings of superlatives supports the parallel between superlatives and definites. I also show that a distinction should be drawn between two types of contextual restriction: the context set of the definite and the frame of comparison of the superlative. The paper further discusses the role of focus in the comparative reading of superlatives in an array of constructions such as existential sentences and focused quantifiers such as everybody, several X and many X. Finally, I show that the hypotheses introduced are sufficient to explain the much debated “upstairs de dicto” reading (Heim 1999).
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors vii
- Adjectives 1
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Part I. Syntax
- Syntactic positions of attributive adjectives 29
- The syntactic differences between long and short forms of Russian adjectives 53
- The name of the adjective 85
- Adjectives in Mandarin Chinese 115
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Part II. Semantics
- Comparisons of similarity and difference 155
- Characterizing superlative quantifiers 187
- Superlative adjectives and the licensing of non-modal infinitival subject relatives 233
- Sentential complementation of adjectives in French 265
- Spanish adjectives within bounds 307
- Languages index 333
- Subject index 335
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- List of contributors vii
- Adjectives 1
-
Part I. Syntax
- Syntactic positions of attributive adjectives 29
- The syntactic differences between long and short forms of Russian adjectives 53
- The name of the adjective 85
- Adjectives in Mandarin Chinese 115
-
Part II. Semantics
- Comparisons of similarity and difference 155
- Characterizing superlative quantifiers 187
- Superlative adjectives and the licensing of non-modal infinitival subject relatives 233
- Sentential complementation of adjectives in French 265
- Spanish adjectives within bounds 307
- Languages index 333
- Subject index 335
