Ebook: Logic, Language and Meaning: 17th Amsterdam Colloquium, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, December 16-18, 2009, Revised Selected Papers

This book contains the revised papers presented at the Amsterdam Colloquium 2009, held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in December 2009. The 41 thoroughly refereed and revised contributions presented together with the revised abstracts of 5 invited talks are organized in five sections: the first section contains extended abstracts of the talks given by the invited speakers; the second, third and fourth sections contain invited and submitted contributions to the three thematic workshops hosted by the colloquium: the Workshop on Implicature and Grammar, the Workshop on Natural Logic, and the Workshop on Vagueness; the final section consists of submissions to the general program. The topics covered range from descriptive (syntactic and semantic analyses of all kinds of expressions) to theoretical (logical and computational properties of semantic theories, philosophical foundations, evolution and learning of language).

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This book contains the revised papers presented at the Amsterdam Colloquium 2009, held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in December 2009. The 41 thoroughly refereed and revised contributions presented together with the revised abstracts of 5 invited talks are organized in five sections: the first section contains extended abstracts of the talks given by the invited speakers; the second, third and fourth sections contain invited and submitted contributions to the three thematic workshops hosted by the colloquium: the Workshop on Implicature and Grammar, the Workshop on Natural Logic, and the Workshop on Vagueness; the final section consists of submissions to the general program. The topics covered range from descriptive (syntactic and semantic analyses of all kinds of expressions) to theoretical (logical and computational properties of semantic theories, philosophical foundations, evolution and learning of language). Table of Contents Cover Logic, Language and Meaning, 17th Amsterdam Colloquium, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, December 16-18, 2009, Revised Selected Papers ISBN-10 3642142869 ISBN-13 9783642142864 Preface Organization Program Committee Table of Contents Invited Speakers Workshop on Implicature and Grammar Workshop on Natural Logic Workshop on Vagueness General Program Empirical Evidence for Embodied Semantics 1 Introduction 2 Perspective Taking in Semantics and Pragmatics 3 Speaker Effects on the Hearer 3.1 A Bidirectional Account of Pronoun Interpretation 3.2 A Cognitive Model of Pronoun Interpretation 3.3 Testing the Cognitive Model Experimentally 4 Hearer Effects on the Speaker 4.1 Constituent Fronting in Dutch 4.2 Partial Word Order Freezing 5 Embodied Semantics References Natural Color Categories Are Convex Sets 1 Introduction: The World Color Survey 2 Feature Extraction 3 Dimensionality Reduction 4 Convexity in the CIELab Space References Concealed Questions with Quanti.ers 1 Introduction 2 Review of Quanti.cational Variability Effect (QVE) 3 Three Observations about Quanti.cational CQs 4 First Step towards an Analysis 5 A Fourth Observation and a Second, Promisory Step References Specific Yet Opaque 1 Fodor's Readings 2 Summative Reports 3 Modals, Tense, and Aspect 4 Split Quantifier References Affective Demonstratives and the Division of Pragmatic Labor 1 Introduction 2 Affective Demonstratives Cross-Linguistically 3 Corpus Experiments 3.1 Data 3.2 Methods 3.3 Exclamatives and Anti-exclamatives 3.4 Affective Demonstratives 4 (Un)Marked Forms and Meanings 5 Conclusion References Experimental Detection of Embedded Implicatures 1 Theories of Scalar Implicatures: Globalism vs. Localism 2 Geurts and Pouscoulous' Results 3 Our Experimental Design 4 Experiment 1: Scalar Items in Universal Sentences 4.1 Experimental Items 4.2 Results and Interpretation 5 Experiment 2: Non-monotonic Environments 5.1 Experimental Items 5.2 Results 6 Conclusions References Local and Global Implicatures in Wh-Question Disjunctions 1 The Deviance of Wh-Question Disjunctions 2 The Semantics of Wh-Question Disjunctions 3 Non-deviant Wh-Question Disjunctions 4 Computing Local and Global Implicatures: Explaining the PS Property of Wh-Disjunctions 5 Conclusion References Supplements within a Unidimensional Semantics I: Scope 1 Bidimensional vs. Unidimensional Analyses 2 The Possibility of High Syntactic Attachment 2.1 Ellipsis 2.2 Condition C Efffects 2.3 Weak Crossover Efffects 2.4 The Similarity between NRRs and Clausal Parentheticals 3 The Possibility of Low Syntactic Attachment 3.1 Subjunctive 3.2 NPI Licensing References Natural Logic and Semantics 1 Natural Logic 2 Objections to Natural Logic 3 The Aristotle Boundary 3.1 Fitch's fNatural Deduction Rules for Englishf 4 The Force of Decidability 5 Conclusion Acknowledgment References NL from Logic: Connecting Entailment and Generation 1 Indexing Logical Form 2 Approaching Entailment 3 The Generator: From Flat Logical Form to Sentences 4 Conclusion References An Analytic Tableau System for Natural Logic 1 Introduction 2 Lambda Logical Forms 3 A Natural Logic Tableau System 3.1 Tableau Entries 3.2 Closure 3.3 Rules Deriving from the Format 3.4 Boolean Rules 3.5 Rules for Monotonic Operators 3.6 Other Rules Connected to Algebraic Properties 3.7 Getting Rid of Boolean Operators 3.8 Rules for Determiners 3.9 Further Rules 4 Conclusion References The Data Complexity of the Syllogistic Fragments of English 1 Introduction 2 The Syllogistic Fragments and Tree-Shaped Questions 3 Resolution Saturations and Data Complexity 4 Conclusions References Extending Syllogistic Reasoning 1 Introduction 2 From Syllogistics to Propositional Logic 3 Relations 4 A `natural' Fragment of Predicate Logic References Internal and Interval Semantics for CP-Comparatives 1 Semantics for DP-Comparatives 2 Semantics for CP-Comparatives 3 Internal Semantics and Interval Semantics 4 Appendix: Compositional Derivation of Comparative Relations References Temporal Propositions as Vague Predicates 1 Introduction 2 Sorites and Appropriate Contexts 3 Contexts for Temporal Extent 4 Contexts as Strings 5 Conclusion References Vagueness Is Rational under Uncertainty 1 Introduction 2 A Free Variable Theory of Scalar Adjectives 3 Communication under Uncertainty 4 Conclusions References Restricted Quantification over Tastes 1 Disagreements over Taste 2 A New Proposal 2.1 The Personal Ingredient 2.2 The General (Public) Ingredient 2.3 Restricted Generalizations: Synthesis of the Personal and General 3 The Consequences of Restricted Quantification over Tastes References Vagueness Facilitates Search 1 Introduction 2 Informal Outline of the Argument 3 Towards a Formal Development of the Argument 3.1 The Advantage of Allowing Borderline Cases 3.2 The Advantage of Degrees and Ranking 4 Discussion References Meaning of `Now' and Other Temporal Location Adverbs 1 Introduction 2 Background Assumptions 3 Meaning of Temporal Location Adverbs 4 Meaning of `now' 5 Conclusion References Logical Consequence Inside Out 1 Preliminaries 1.1 Languages 1.2 Replacement 1.3 Consequence Relations 2 Bolzano Consequence 2.1 Definition of =>_ 2.3 Minimal Sets of Symbols 3 Extracting Constants from Consequence Relations 3.1 Definng Extraction 3.2 Examples 3.3 Facts about C_ in the Bolzano Setting 4 ExtraSymbols 4.1 Richness and Abundance 4.2 Expansions 5 Galois Connections 5.1 General Consequence Relations 5.2 Galois Connection for Copies References Modified Numerals as Post-Suppositions 1 Cumulativity and Modifie Numerals 2 Modifie Numerals as Post-Suppositions 2.1 Modifed Numerals 2.2 Post-Suppositions 3 Universal Quantifies 4 Implicatures 5 Modals and Modifie Numerals 6 Conclusion References Cumulative Readings of Every Do Not Provide Evidence for Events and Thematic Roles 1 Introduction 2 Schein's Argument as Presented in Kratzer 3 Modeling Cumulative every without Events 4 Mixed Cumulative-Distributive Readings 5 Structural Asymmetries in Cumulative Readings 6 Conclusion References Restricting and Embedding Imperatives 1 Plan 2 Menu 2.1 Modal Analyses 2.2 Dynamic Analyses 3 Restricting Force 3.1 First Pass 3.2 Second Pass 3.3 Information-Sensitive Ordering Semantics 4 Sequencing References A First-Order Inquisitive Semantics 1 Introduction 2 Propositional Inquisitive Semantics 3 The Maximality Problem 4 A First-Order Inquisitive Semantics 5 Conclusions References There Is Something about Might 1 Epistemic Modalities 2 Optimal Inquisitive Discourse 3 Epistemic Modality in Discourse 4 Questions and Beliefs about Modality 5 Conclusion References Incommensurability 1 Introduction 2 What Is Relative Comparison? 3 Theoretical Consequences References Distributivity in Reciprocal Sentences 1 Introduction 2 Data 3 Distributivity and Reciprocals 3.1 Background Assumptions 3.2 Distributivity in Cumulative Readings 3.3 Reciprocal Sentences 4 Conclusion References A Logic for Easy Linking Semantics 1 Linking: Troubles and a Vision 2 Linking Logic 3 Easy Linking Semantics 3.1 Saturation of Arguments 3.2 Functional Shifting of Arguments 4 Summary References Rivalry between French -age and -ée: The Role of Grammatical Aspect in Nominalization 1 Introduction 2 Argument Structure of the Verbal Bases 2.1 All Verbal Bases Selected 2.2 General Preferences 2.3 Proposal: Highlighting of Causation 3 Aspectual Properties 3.1 Aspectual Properties of the Verbal Bases 3.2 Aspectual Inheritance vs. Aspectual Shift 3.3 Grammatical Aspect in Nominalizations 4 Consequences and Refinements of the Analysis 4.1 Selectional Restrictions on the Nominalization of Transitive-Unaccusative Verbs 4.2 Transitive-Unaccusative and Transitive Bases Selected by Both -age/-ée 4.3 Nominalization of Unaccusative Verbs without Transitive Counterparts 5 Conclusion References Free Choice from Iterated Best Response 1 Free Choice Disjunctions and Game Theory 2 Interpretation Games as Context Models 3 Iterated Best Response Reasoning 4 IBR Reasoning: The Bigger Picture References A Formal Semantics for Iconic Spatial Gestures 1 Introduction 2 Semantics 2.1 Informal Introduction 2.2 Formal Semantics 3 A Logic for Iconic Spaces 4 Examples 4.1 Interaction between Gestures and Plurals 4.2 Gestures in the Space-Time 5 Conclusion References On the Scopal Interaction of Negation and Deontic Modals 1 Introduction 1.1 The Data 1.2 Questions 2 Previous Proposals 2.1 Cormack and Smith (2002) 2.2 Butler (2003) 3 Analysis 3.1 Neutral and Polar Modals 3.2 Deontic Modals and Negation 3.3 Deontic Modals and Negative DPs 4 Conclusion and Discussion References Projective Meaning and Attachment 1 Introduction 2 Extending the Symmetry between Projection and Attachment 3 Accounting for the Symmetry: The QUD Approach 3.1 Basics 3.2 Simple Experimental Evidence 4 The Attachment Approach 4.1 The Attachment Principle 4.2 One How and Two Whys 5 Conclusion References Adverbs of Comment and Disagreement 1 Introduction 2 Incomplete Propositions 3 Predicates of Personal Taste 3.1 Subjectivity vs. Objectivity 3.2 Disagreement 3.3 Previous Analyses 4 AOCs 4.1 Judge Shifting 4.2 Judge as a Constant 4.3 Analysis 5 Conclusion References Two Puzzles about Requirements 1 First Puzzle: Minimum Requirements 2 Second Puzzle: Maximum Requirements 3 ModalForce 4 Towards an Analysis: Restricting the Modal Base 5 Modifie Numerals 6 To Conclude References Two Sources of Again-Ambiguities: Evidence from Degree-Achievement Predicates 1 Introduction 2 BECOME and again 3 Degree Achievements and again 4 Conclusion References Equatives, Measure Phrases and NPIs 1 Introduction 1.1 Equatives and MPs 1.2 Background Assumptions 2 Equatives 2.1 MPs and Scalar Implicatures 2.2 A More Sensitive Semantics 3 Expansions and Extensions References Squiggly Issues: Alternative Sets, Complex DPs, and Intensionality 1 Introduction: Focus Semantic Values and Context Sets 2 Squiggle Placement 3 Benefis of Our Account 4 Intensionality References Disjunctive Questions, Intonation, and Highlighting 1 Preliminaries: Basic Assumptions and Data 2 Inquisitive Semantics 3 Focus and Highlighting 4 Closure and Suggestions References The Semantics of Count Nouns 1 Introduction 1.1 Mass Nouns May Denote Sets of Salient Atoms 1.2 Singular Count Noun Denotations May Be Contextually Determined 2 Count Noun Denotations 3 Implementing the Analysis 3.1 Operations Which Are Not Sensitive to the Count/Mass Distinction 3.2 Operations Which Distinguish between Mass and Count Nouns 4 Formal Atomicity, Natural Atomicity and Semantic Atomicity References Donkey Anaphora in Sign Language I: E-Type vs. Dynamic Accounts 1 The Debate 1.1 The Problem 1.2 E-Type Approaches 1.3 Dynamic Approaches 1.4 The Complexity of the Debate 2 Predictions for Sign Language 2.1 Pronouns in Sign Language 2.2 The Importance of Bishop Sentences 3 Bishop Sentences in ASL and LSF 3.1 Standard Cases 3.2 Intransitive Cases 4 Anaphora to Negative Quantifiers References Modality and Speech Acts: Troubled by German 1 Introduction 1.1 Modal Particles in German 1.2 The Friendly Particle 1.3 ruhig Is Picky After All 2 ruhig Licensed by a Possibility Operator 2.1 ruhig and Modal Concord (Grosz [2009a,2009b]) 2.2 Addenda for Modal Concord 2.3 Problems with Modal Concord 3 Modeling Utterance Contexts for ruhig 3.1 Conditions on ruhig 3.2 The must-Problem 4 Conclusions References German Noch So: Scalar Degree Operator and Negative Polarity Item 1 Introduction 2 Some Properties of Noch So 3 A Contradiction Based Account 3.1 Lahirian Analysis of Scalar Indefnites 3.2 Gradable Predicates, Degree Phrases, and Monotonicity 3.3 Noch So and Contradictory Presuppositions 4 But the Lahirian Presupposition Is Not Right 5 Presupposing Downward Montonicity 6 Back to Polarity Sensitivity 7 Conclusion References Some New Observations on `Because (of)' 1 Introduction: Plain Causes and Reasons 2 A DRT Semantics for `Because of' 3 `because of' vs. `because' in Epistemic Modal Contexts 4 Conclusion and Outlook References Support and More 1 Introduction 1.1 The Problem 1.2 Previous Treatments 1.3 Main Claim 2 Proposal 2.1 The Decomposition of much 2.2 Applied to much Support and more Comparatives 2.3 Summary 3 The Infelicity of Bare much 4 Conclusions References Quantifies and Working Memory 1 Introduction 1.1 Quantifie Verificaton Model 1.2 The Present Study 2 Method 2.1 Participants 2.2 Materials and Procedure 3 Results 3.1 Sentence Verifiation Task 3.2 Memory Task 4 Discussion References Pluractionality and the Unity of the Event 1 Introduction 2 Event-Internal Plurality 3 Grounding Phases 4 On Phases and Minimal Units 5 Conclusion References Author Index