5. Bare noun phrases
-
Veneeta Dayal
Abstract
The distribution and interpretation of bare NPs varies across languages. This article surveys the range of these possibilities and the theoretical accounts that deal with it. Bare NPs are canonically associated with reference to kinds and the semantic operations involved in kind formation are central to the discussion. Differences between singular and plural terms with respect to kind formation, the relationship between kind formation and the semantics of definite and indefinite NPs, the correlation between lexical exponents of a semantic operation and its availability as a covert type shift, and the syntactic location of semantic operations are among the issues explored in these accounts. The study of bare NPs thus overlaps with the study of genericity, number marking and (in)definiteness. The primary focus here is on recent research which addresses the issue of cross-linguistic variation in semantics. Current challenges for theories of variation are also discussed.
Abstract
The distribution and interpretation of bare NPs varies across languages. This article surveys the range of these possibilities and the theoretical accounts that deal with it. Bare NPs are canonically associated with reference to kinds and the semantic operations involved in kind formation are central to the discussion. Differences between singular and plural terms with respect to kind formation, the relationship between kind formation and the semantics of definite and indefinite NPs, the correlation between lexical exponents of a semantic operation and its availability as a covert type shift, and the syntactic location of semantic operations are among the issues explored in these accounts. The study of bare NPs thus overlaps with the study of genericity, number marking and (in)definiteness. The primary focus here is on recent research which addresses the issue of cross-linguistic variation in semantics. Current challenges for theories of variation are also discussed.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- 1. Pronouns 1
- 2. Definiteness and indefiniteness 33
- 3. Specificity 70
- 4. Quantifiers 112
- 5. Bare noun phrases 149
- 6. Possessives and relational nouns 177
- 7. Mass nouns and plurals 204
- 8. Genericity 232
- 9. Aspectual class and Aktionsart 274
- 10. Perfect and progressive 313
- 11. Verbal mood 369
- 12. Deverbal nominalization 407
- 13. Tense 436
- 14. Modality 463
- 15. Conditionals 503
- 16. Propositional attitudes 532
- 17. Indexicality and De Se reports 562
- Index 619
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- 1. Pronouns 1
- 2. Definiteness and indefiniteness 33
- 3. Specificity 70
- 4. Quantifiers 112
- 5. Bare noun phrases 149
- 6. Possessives and relational nouns 177
- 7. Mass nouns and plurals 204
- 8. Genericity 232
- 9. Aspectual class and Aktionsart 274
- 10. Perfect and progressive 313
- 11. Verbal mood 369
- 12. Deverbal nominalization 407
- 13. Tense 436
- 14. Modality 463
- 15. Conditionals 503
- 16. Propositional attitudes 532
- 17. Indexicality and De Se reports 562
- Index 619
