Linguistics 575A: Quantification, Semantic Representations and the Syntax-Semantics Interface

Course Info

• Lecture: W 3:30-5:50 THO 231
• Electronic reserves for our course.
• Our EPost bulletin board (Instructions on using EPost)

Instructor Info

• Emily M. Bender
• Office Hours: Th 3-5 & By appt
• Office: Padelford A-219
• Phone: 543-6914
• Email: ebender at u

Syllabus

Description

Semantic representations, as used in computational linguistics, typically require that all nominal indices be bound by an appropriate quantifier. In some languages (including English), there is a syntactic position which corresponds nicely (specifier of NP, filled by determiners). Crosslinguistically, however, we find languages that rarely, or never, express quantification within the NP. In the strictly compositional framework assumed in the Grammar Matrix (and other implemented work on HPSG), this leads to a mismatch between syntax and semantics which is handled by unary rules introducing quantifiers.

In this seminar, we will explore these issues in depth, seeking to discover whether current standard semantic representations are appropriate crosslinguistically, what alternatives may exist, and the theoretical origins of the current state of affairs.

Note: To request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact Disabled Student Services, 448 Schmitz, 206-543-8924 (V/TTY). If you have a letter from Disabled Student Services indicating that you have a disability which requires academic accommodations, please present the letter to the instructor so we can discuss the accommodations you might need in this class.

Requirements

• Leading discussions of papers (15)
• KWLH paper (approx 7 pages) (20).
• Participation in discussions (15).
• Term paper (or project) (50).

Schedule of Topics and Assignments (may be updated)