Projecting the adjective : the syntax and semantics of gradability and comparison / Christopher Kennedy.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kennedy, Christopher, 1967- author.

Series:

Outstanding Dissertations in Linguistics

Outstanding dissertations in linguistics

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Grammar, Comparative and general--Adjective.

Grammar, Comparative and general.

Grammar, Comparative and general--Gradation.

Comparison (Grammar).

Semantics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (259 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Garland, 1999.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book investigates the core meaning and syntactic distribution of gradable adjectives: adjectives such as long , short , bright and dim , with respect to which objects can be ordered and compared.

Contents:

Cover; Series Title; Title Page; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; Preface; Introduction; Acknowledgments; Chapter 1: Gradable Adjectives; 1.1 The Semantic Characteristics of Gradable Adjectives; 1.1.1 Vagueness; 1.1.2 Indeterminacy and the Dimensional Parameter; 1.1.3 Incommensurability; 1.1.4 Polarity; 1.1.5 Summary; 1.2 The Vague Predicate Analysis; 1.2.1 Overview; 1.2.2 Comparatives; 1.2.3 Problems with the Vague Predicate Analysis; 1.2.4 Summary; 1.3 The Scalar Analysis; 1.3.1 Degree Arguments; 1.3.2 Comparatives; 1.3.3 Improving on the Vague Predicate Analysis; 1.3.4 Summary

1.4 Comparatives and Scope1.4.1 Negation; 1.4.2 Distributive Quantifiers; 1.4.3 Intensional Contexts; 1.4.4 Summary; 1.4.5 Comparatives as Generalized Quantifiers; 1.5 Conclusion; Notes to Chapter 1; Chapter 2: Projecting the Adjective; 2.1 Measure Functions and Degree Constructions; 2.1.1 Puzzles; 2.1.2 Identifying the Standard; 2.1.3 Measure Functions; 2.1.4 Degree Constructions; 2.1.5 Evaluation; 2.1.6 Historical Context; 2.2 The Extended Projection of A; 2.3 Absolute Constructions; 2.3.1 Overview; 2.3.2 Implicit Standards and Comparison Classes; 2.4 Comparatives

2.4.1 Initial Observations and Questions2.4.2 Comparative Deletion; 2.4.3 Phrasal Comparatives; 2.4.4 The Phrasal/Clausal Distinction and the Scope of the Standard; 2.4.5 Comparatives with Less; 2.4.6 Comparative and Absolute; 2.4.7 Current Results and Future Directions; 2.5 Conclusion; Notes to Chapter 2; Chapter 3: Polar Opposition and the Ontology of Comparison; 3.1 Comparison and Polar Opposition; 3.1.1 The Algebra of Degrees; 3.1.2 Degrees and Polar Opposition; 3.1.3 Cross-polar Anomaly; 3.1.4 On the Unavailability of an Incommensurability Explanation; 3.1.5 The Algebra of Extents

3.1.6 Extents and Polar Opposition3.1.7 Cross-Polar Anomaly Revisited; 3.1.8 The Distribution of Measure Phrases; 3.1.9 Positives that Look Like Negatives; 3.1.10 Summary; 3.2 Comparison of Deviation; 3.2.1 The Semantic Characteristics of Comparison of Deviation; 3.2.2 Differential Extents and Comparison of Deviation; 3.2.3 Summary; 3.3 The Logical Polarity of Gradable Adjectives; 3.3.1 The Monotonicity Properties of Polar Adjectives; 3.3.2 Degrees and Monotonicity; 3.3.3 Extents and Monotonicity; 3.3.4 Summary; 3.4 Conclusion; Notes to Chapter 3; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 231-238) and index.

Description based on metadata supplied by the publisher and other sources.

ISBN:

1-136-53239-0

0-203-05545-4

1-299-05444-7

1-136-53232-3

9780203055458

OCLC:

827207043