Semantics Flashcards
Give the two approaches of semantics and their definitions:
mentalistic(mediated by a mental image) and referential (seeing an object and remembering/refering what it is)
Semantics
The study of meaning
What is the input for ghost-functions + give an example in sentence how to use them
propositions
g(Pete talks) ∩ (g(John talks) ∪ g(John walks))
1 ∩ ( 1 ∩ 1)
1
Compositionality:
The meaning of a complex expression is a function of the meaning of its parts and the way in which they are combined. (Ferge)
In formal languages what do apostrophes mean(x’) ( or [[ x]])?
semantic interpretation of a word not the string
Define cardinality
numbers of members in a set is its cardinality , mentioned like this |E|=4
objects are of type:
e
function that takes an object and returns a truth value (intransitive verb)
e -> t. Same can be done for transitive verbs (e -> (e -> t)
Linguistic Relativism/Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
the language that you speak influences the thoughts that you can have.
What was Frege’s theory?
Splitting meaning in reference and sense.
In Frege’s theory, where do imaginary thins map to?
An empty set
What are children’s errors in quantification?
spreading: the quantifier spreads over both the NP and VP set. Shown in children < 4.
Inverse scope readings
opposite of the linear order and against c-commanding; move quantifier part to the front and look at meaning then.
Surface scope readings
the scope order of quantifiers reflects the surface order of the corresponding nominal expressions.
Telic and atelic
atelic(no clear end) or telic(beginning and end) events
Atelic events resemble …… nouns
mass
Telic events resemble ……. nouns
count
DP’s can take:
the wide scope or a negation can take scope: (ex. Jan didn’t solve one problem)
Presuppositions
follow from a sentence and are not changes by a negation or other logical operators.
Which two theories are there regarding presupposition
accommodations and presuppositions as anaphors
accomodations
When a presupposition is encountered, the hearer should update their context so that it includes the presupposition. So “rewrite” the sentence to include the presupposition.
presuppositions as anaphors
the information that is presupposed get projected to the global context, and not added if not necessary.
