Indefinite objects: scrambling, choice functions, and differential marking

by López, Luis

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Title Statements

Full title :Indefinite objects : scrambling, choice functions, and differential marking / Luis López.

Summary

A novel view of the syntax-semantics interface that analyzes the behavior of indefinite objects. In Indefinite Objects, Luis Lopez presents a novel approach to the syntax-semantics interface using indefinite noun phrases as a database. Traditional approaches map structural configurations to semantic interpretations directly; Lopez links configuration to a mode of semantic composition, with the latter yielding the interpretation. The polyvalent behavior of indefinites has long been explored by linguists who have been interested in their syntax, semantics, and case morphology, and Lopez's contribution can be seen as a synthesis of findings from several traditions. He argues, first, that scrambled indefinite objects are composed by means of Function Application preceded by Choice Function while objects in situ are composed by means of Restrict. This difference yields the different interpretive possibilities of indefinite objects. Lopez's more nuanced approach to the syntax-semantics interface turns out to be rich in empirical consequences. Second, he proposes that short scrambling also yields Differential Marking, provided that context conditions are fulfilled, while in situ objects remain unmarked. Thus, Lopez contributes to the extensive literature on Differential Object Marking by showing that syntactic configuration is a crucial factor. Lopez substantiates this approach with data from Spanish, Hindi-Urdu, Persian (Farsi), Kiswahili, Romanian, and German.

Edition Statements

Publication Date:©2012

Publication Statements

Publisher(s):MIT Press
Place of Publication:Cambridge, Mass
Language:eng
Publication Date:©2012

The Physical Object

Description:1 online resource (xi, 172 pages) : : illustrations

Edition Identifiers

ISBN:0262305631, 9780262305631
oclc:ocn813929044
LC Classification:P298
Dewey Decimal:415

Linguistic Inquiry Monographs; Contents; Series Foreword; Preface; Acknowledgments; 1 Introduction: Remarks on the Grammar of Indefinite Objects; 2 Scrambling and Differential Object Marking; 3 Scrambling and Semantic Composition; 4 Crosslinguistic Predictions; Notes; References; Index; Linguistic Inquiry Monographs Series List.

Subjects

Discourse markers Grammar, Comparative and general -- Syn… Grammar, Comparative and general -- Top… LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES -- Grammar … LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES -- Linguist… LINGUISTICS & LANGUAGE/General Marqueurs du discours semantics Sémantique Sujet et prédicat Syntaxe Typologie (Linguistique) Typology (Linguistics)