Semantics With Assignment Variables

This groundbreaking study combines insights from philosophy and linguistics to develop a novel framework for theorizing about linguistic meaning and the role of context in interpretation. It introduces explicit representations of context in the syntax and semantics of natural language, systematizing a spectrum of shifting phenomena. Central applications include local and non-local contextual dependencies with quantifiers, attitude ascriptions, conditionals, questions, and relativization. The result is an innovative philosophically informed compositional semantics compatible with the truth-conditional paradigm.

Format: Paperback
Length: 279 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This groundbreaking study seamlessly blends insights from philosophy and linguistics to establish a novel framework for theorizing about linguistic meaning and the intricate interplay between context and interpretation. A pivotal breakthrough is the introduction of explicit representations of context, known as assignment variables, into the syntax and semantics of natural language. By doing so, the proposed theory systematizes a wide range of shifting phenomena wherein the contextual relevance for interpreting certain expressions hinges on the characteristics of the linguistic environment. Central applications encompass local and non-local contextual dependencies with quantifiers, attitude ascriptions, conditionals, questions, and relativization. The outcome is an innovative philosophically informed compositional semantics that seamlessly aligns with the truth-conditional paradigm. As a vital resource for researchers and students across a diverse array of disciplines, Semantics with Assignment Variables is an indispensable text that delves into the core mechanisms underlying language interpretation and communication.

Weight: 414g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108799126