This class introduces the mechanism of extensional model
theoretic semantics by way of analyzing a narrowly chosen set
of related natural language phenomena, namely noun phrase
determiners. The class, especially when followed up by my
advanced class on 'Quantified Noun Phrases' (see below), will,
I hope, allow for a selective but deep look into natural
language semantics.
The course is addressed at people with little or no
background in formal semantics. Knowledge of set theory and
predicate logic, however, will be very useful (e.g. Allwood et
al., McCawley, ter Meulen et la., Wall).
Issues include:
Introduction: The general framework - Quantified Noun phrases
as Sets of Properties; existentially and universally
quantified NPs, no N
Definite NPs: The Russellian account and its rivals;
indefinites vs. definites
Indefinite NPs: Departing from the classical view; donkey
sentences and the Heimian account; wide scope indefinites
Quantified NPs: Generalized Quantifier Theory, Determiner
Universals, the case of most
References
(see 'Quantified Noun Phrases' for selected readings):