Tokyo, Todai University, September 24, 2004 Bare Plurals: Kind-referring, Indefinites, Both, or...

Tokyo, Todai University, September 24, 2004

Bare Plurals:Kind-referring, Indefinites, Both, or

Neither?

Manfred Krifka

Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinZentrum für Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft (ZAS), Berlin

Paper to this talk is published in the proceedings of SALT XIII, 2003, and can be downloaded at:

www.amor.rz.hu-berlin .de/~h2816i3x

Bare Plurals:Kind-referring, Indefinites, Both, or

Neither?Goals of talk: • Interpretations of bare plurals, bare mass nouns

(mostly) in English• Theory of Carlson (1977),

Revival of it: Chierchia (1998), Type Raising• Problems of Chierchia (1998)• A revised theory• Appendix I: The role of information structure• Appendix II: Definite Generic NPs

Answer to the question:All of the above!(take this to be a ko-an of Zen Buddhism, for the time being...)

Two Interpretations of Bare Noun Phrases in English

Two interpretations of bare NPs (bare plurals, bare mass nouns):» Existential: [[Dogs are barking.]]

= wx[DOGS(w)(x) BARKING(w)(x)][[Gold was found in the river.]]

= wx[GOLD(w)(x) FOUND_IN_RIVER(w)(x)] Bare NPs appear to denote indefinite quantifiers based on properties like DOGS, = w x[x are dogs in w] e.g. [[dogs]] = wPx[DOGS(w)(x) P(w)(x)]

» Generic: [[Dogs evolved 100,000 years ago.]]= w[EVOLVED_100000_YEARS_AGO(w)(CANIS)]

[[Gold is a metal.]] = w[METAL(w)(AUREUM)]

Bare NPs appear to denote kind individuals, e.g. [[dogs]] = CANIS, the biological kind dogs,

[[gold]] = AUREUM, the chemical kind gold.

Question: Are bare NPs basically -- indefinites, -- kind-referring, -- or ambiguous between indefinite and kind reading?

Uniform Interpretation of Bare NPs as Kinds: Carlson (1977)

Interpretation of bare NPs as denoting kind individuals,even in the “indefinite” interpretation:[[Dogs are barking.]]= w[[[are barking]](w)([[dogs]])]= w [yx[R(x, y) BARKING(w)(x)](CANIS)]= w x[R(x, CANIS) BARKING(w)(x)]‘there is an x that is a realization R (a specimen) of the kind Canis, and x is barking’

Arguments for Kind-Referring Interpretation

First family of arguments (Carlson 1977): Bare NPs show only narrow scope interpretation, in contrast to true indefinites

Scope with respect to intensional context:Minnie wants to talk to a psychiatrist.(a) ‘There is a psychiatrist x, and Minnie wants to talk to x.’ (“de re”)(b) ‘Minnie wants that there be a psychiatrist x and she talks to x.’ (“de dicto”)Minnie wants to talk to some psychiatrists.(a) and (b), as above. Minnie wants to talk to psychiatrists.(only b)

Scope with respect to negation:[[A dog is barking and a dog is not barking. ]] (No contradiction, = w x[DOG(w)(x) BARKING(w)(y)] as bare NP can have wide scope w x[DOG(w)(x) BARKING(w)(y)] with respect to negation)[[Dogs are barking and dogs are not barking.]] (Contradiction, = w [yx[R(x, y) BARKING(w)(y)](CANIS)] as bare NP has narrow scope w [yx[R(x, y) BARKING(w)(y)](CANIS)] with respect to negation)= w x[R(x, CANIS) BARKING(w)(y)]

w x[R(x, CANIS) BARKING(w)(y)]

More Arguments for Kind-Referring Interpretation

Second family of arguments (Carlson1977, Rooth 1985, Schubert & Pelletier 1987) : Anaphoric reference across kind and object interpretation # At the meeting,some Martians presented themselves as almost extinct. (sortal conflict)

At the meeting, Martians presented themselves as almost extinct. (o.k.)

# At the meeting, some Martians claimed [PRO to be almost extinct] (sortal conflict)

At the meeting, Martians claimed [PRO to be almost extinct] (o.k.)

= w[[[ __ claimed [PRO to be almost extinct] ]](w)([[Martians]])]= w [yx[R(x, y) CLAIM(w)(w’[ALMOST_EXTINCT(w’)(y)])(x)](MART.)]= w x[R(x, MART.) CLAIM(w)(w’[ALMOST_EXTINCT(w’)(MART.)])(x)]‘There are some specimens of Martians x, and x claimed that Martians (= the kind) are almost extinct.’

Arguments for Ambiguity Hypothesis of Bare NPs

(Wilkinson 1991, Gerstner-Link & Krifka 1993)» No definite kind referring NP in episodic sentences

The dog / Dogs evolved 100,000 years ago.The dog is barking. Dogs are barking.

» Parallel distribution with indefinites in rules-and-regulation statements (Carlson 1995)A gentleman opens doors for ladies.Gentlemen open doors for ladies.??The gentleman opens doors for ladies.

» Parallel distribution with indefiniteswith respect to non-established kinds (Carlson 1977, attrib. to B. Partee):The coke bottle / *The green bottle has a narrow neck.(* on kind-referring interpretation)Coke bottles / Green bottles have a narrow neck.A coke bottle / A green bottle has a narrow neck.

The Theory of Chierchia (1998),‘Reference to Kinds across Languages’, NLS

Goals: » Account for interpretations of bare NPs

by general principles of type shift» Account for differences between languages

(Germanic, Romance, Slavic, Chinese)by blocking of type shifts due to the presence of overt operators.

Claims:» Bare mass nouns always refer basically to kinds.» Bare plurals are basically properties,

but they are always (!) type-shifted to kinds.» Apparently non-kind-referring uses of bare nouns

are due to various type shifts.

Chierchia (1998): Ontological Requirements

Domain forms a join semi-lattice,

a b c d


Domain forms a join semi-lattice, with join operation ,

a b c d

bc


Domain forms a join semi-lattice, with join operation , part relation ,

a b c d

bc


Domain forms a join semi-lattice, with join operation , part relation ,

a b c d

bc

abc

abcd


Domain forms a join semi-lattice, with join operation , part relation , set of atoms AT.

a b c d

bc

abc

abcd

atoms

Chierchia (1998): Nominal meanings

Extension of singular count noun, in world w:[[[[dog]](w) = DOG(w), a set of atoms.


Extension of plural count noun, in world w:[[[[dogs]](w) = DOGS(w) = x[DOG(w)(x) yx[AT(y) DOG(w)(y)]]

DOGS is a cumulative property: If DOGS(w)(x) and DOGS(w)(y) then DOGS(w)(xy)


Meaning of definite article : [DOGS(w)] = the maximal individual that falls under DOGS(w)

[DOGS(w)] exists because DOGS(w) is a cumulative predicate.

Chierchia (1998): Kinds

Kinds have a hybrid nature:» They are individual concepts

(functions from worlds to individuals)» They are systematically related to properties

(applying to the specimens)Mapping of properties to kinds by Down Operator

If P is a property, hence describable by wx[...], then P = w[[P(w)]], that is, P picks out the maximal individual in P(w) for every world w.

Cf. ter Meulen (1980), hybrid nature of mass nouns:» Predicate use, This ring is gold.» Referring use, Gold is a metal.

Chierchia (1998): Kinds

Not every property is related to a kind: » For every world w, P(w) must be defined;

this is the case with cumulative properties like DOGS but not necessarily with non-cumulative properties like DOG.

» Chierchia restricts the down operator further: If P is a property, then P = w[P(w)], provided this is an element of the set K AT of kinds.(reason: dogs in this building does not correspond to a kind)

Note:We must allow for partial properties and individual concepts,otherwise we cannot handle extinct kinds or imaginary kinds,like the dodo or the unicorn.[[dodos]] = w[DODOS(w)], defined only in worlds DODOS = w[[DODOS(w)]] in which dodos exist

Up operator maps kinds to the property that applies to their specimens:If k K, then k = w x[x k(w)]

Chierchia (1998): Type Shifting

Noun phrase interpretation by type shiftingPartee’s type shifting operators:

» Individual type shift : P ==> wP(w)» Existential type shift : P ==> wPx[P(w)(x) P(w)(x)]» Predicational shift BE : wPx[P(w)(x) P(w)(x)] ==> P

Type shift may be indicated overtly, by articles:» Individual type shift: the dog» Existential type shift: a dog, as in a dog barked.

Type shift may happen covertly, by coercion:» Predicational type shift: a dog, as in Fido is a dog.» Definite and indefinite interpretation of bare NPs in Slavic.

Blocking principle:If a language has an overt operator to express a type shift, it has to be used, i.e. covert type shift is blocked.

Chierchia’s operators as type shifters:» Down shift : P ==> w[P(w)], if w[P(w)] K, else undefined.» Up shift : k ==> wx[xk(w)], if kK, else undefined.

There are no strictly generic determiners, hence these shifts are always covert, never blocked.

Chierchia (1998): Three Predication Types

Regular Kind Predications: Dodos are extinct.

Characterizing Statements: Lions have a mane.

Derived Kind Predications: Dogs are barking.

Chierchia (1998): Regular Kind Predications

- With bare mass terms: Gold is a metal.w[METAL(w)(AUREUM)]

Mass terms are names of kinds, no type shift reqired.

- With bare plurals: Dodos are extinct.(type shift ) w[EXTINCT(w)(DODOS)]

Bare plurals are basically properties, that are shifted to kind individuals by to satisfy type and sort requirements of the predicate.

Bare singulars cannot be shifted, as they are not cumulative, hence *Dodo is extinct.

Chierchia (1998): Characterizing Statements

Characteristic Statements Kind predication

Dogs have a tail. Dogs evolved 100,000 years ago.A dog has a tail. *A dog evolved 100,000 years ago.

(o.k. only in taxonomic reading)Treatment of characterizing statements by dyadic generic operator (Krifka e.a. 1995):[[A dog has a tail]] = w[GEN(w) (wx[DOG(w)(x)])

(wxy[TAIL(w)(y) HAS(w)(y)(x)])] ‘Generally, if x is a dog, there is a tail y that x has.’

Characterizing statements with bare NPs:- With bare mass terms: [[Gold is shiny.]] = w[GEN(w)(AUREUM)(SHINY)] Type shift by to create property.- With bare plurals: [[ Lions have a mane.]] = w[GEN(w)(LIONS)(HAVE_A_MANE)] Type shift by of already shifted LIONS (!), not just w[GEN(w)(LIONS)(HAVE_A_MANE), as this would also allow for *Lion has a mane, w[GEN(w)(LION)(HAVE_A_MANE) But how could this derivation be prevented?)

Chierchia (1998): Derived Kind Predications

Example: Dogs are barking.DKP rule:

If the verbal predicate P basically applies to objects, and k denotes a kind, then interpret w[P(w)(k)] as wx[k(w)(x) P(w)(x)]

Dogs are barking.* w[BARKING(w)(DOGS)], not interpretable due to sort mismatch= wx[ DOGS(w)(x) BARKING(w)(x)], by DKP rule

Narrow scope interpretation, if DKP rule is triggered locally:John didn’t see dogs.LF, style of Heim & Kratzer 1998 : [dogs 1[John didn’t see t1]]interpretation (after type shift by : DOGS ==> DOGS): w [x[[SEE(w)(x)(JOHN)]](DOGS)]after application: w [[SEE(w)(DOGS)(JOHN)]]local application of DKP rule: w x[DOGS(w)(x) SEE(w)(x)(JOHN)]Notice: x has arrow scope over

due to local triggering of DKP rule.

Chierchia (1998): Problems with the DKP rule

Problems of the DKP rule:» DKP rule not couched in type shift format Remedy: Assume a sequence of type shifts,

DOG ==> DOGS ==> DOGS ==> DOGS ==> DOGS pluralization type requirement DKP-rule DKP-rule

» But now some type shifts are unmotivated:- Shift DOGS ==> DOGS unmotivated, as the resulting structure is not interpretable- Shift DOGS ==> DOGS unmotivated, as the resulting structure is not interpretable

» There is a simpler derivation in which every step is motivated:DOG ==> DOGS ==> DOGS pluralization type requirementDogs are barking.*w[BARKING(w)(DOGS)] -- type clash!after existential shift DOGS ==> DOGS:

w[DOGS(w)(BARKING(w))] = wx[DOGS(w)(x) BARKING(w)(x)]Chierchia argues that existential shift is dispreferred because it has existential impact (i.e. a more specific meaning). But Chierchia’s DKP type shift sequence has existential impact as well!

A Revised Type Shift Theory for Bare NPs

Goals: » Assume locally coerced type-shifting

and blocking principle. » Replace DKP rule type shifting

in accordance with general principles. » Give semantics for regular kind predications,

characterizing statements and non-generic statements. » Account for differences between languages.

Type Shifts and Interpretation

Shake’n’bake Semantics (Emmon Bach).Convention:

{A, B} = A(B) or B(A), whatever is well-formed.Interpretation of binary branching constituents [ ]:

[[[ ]]] = w[{ [[]](w), [[]](w)]}] or w[{ [[]], [[]](w)]}],

w[{ [[]](w), [[]]]}],w[{ [[]], [[]]]}], whatever is well-formed

If this fails:[[[[ ]]] = w[{ TS[[[]](w)], [[]](w)]}] or w[{ TS[[[]]](w), [[]](w)]}],

w[{ [[]](w), TS[[[]](w)]]}], w[{ [[]](w), TS[[[]]](w)]}], whatever is well-formed,

where TS is a possible type shift operation not blocked by overt operatorsIf this fails:Iterate the last step (i.e. apply more type shifts)

Important type shifts:Max Individual : Predicate P ==> PExistence : Predicate P ==> P’x[P(x) P’(x)]Property BE: Existential quantifier P’x[P(x) P’(x)] ==> PKind : Property P ==> P, = w[P(w)]

Semantics of Count Nouns Krifka (1995), comparative study of English / Chinese

Mass nouns are properties of individuals[[gold]] = GOLD, = w x[GOLD(w)(x)]Count nouns are relations between numbers and individuals[[dog]] = DOG = w n x[DOG(w)(n)(x)]The number argument can be filled by a number word:[[one dog]] = w[[[dog]](w)([[one]](w))]

= w[nx[DOG(w)(n)(x)](1)] = wx[DOG(w)(1)(x)]

Count noun relations are extensive measure functions:- If DOG(w)(n)(x) and DOG(w)(m)(x), then n = m- If DOG(w)(n)(x) and DOG(w)(m)(y)

and x, y do not overlap, i.e. z[zx zy]then DOG(w)(n+m)(xy)

With this, DOG(w)(n) is a quantized predicate, i.e. if DOG(w)(n)(x) and y<x, then DOG(w)(n)(y)

Quantized predicates for mass nouns: measure construction with externalized measure function[[three ounces of gold]]= w x[GOLD(w)(x) OUNCE(w)(3)(x)]

With count nouns, measure function is “built into” the noun meaning.

Number Agreement within NP

Potential problem of this theory of count nouns:one dog, but two dogs.

But this may be just syntactic/morphological agreement:one, a, every: singular agreementtwo, three, many, few, all: plural agreement

This agreement is semantically irrelevant:Decimal fractions induce plural agreement,even with one point zero:

American households have, on average, zero point seven cat-s and one point zero dog-s.

Many languages with nominal plural lack agreement,e.g. Hungarian

egy kutya két kutya kutyák a kutya a kutyákone dog two dog dog-s the dog the dog-s

Semantically relevant number

In bare plurals and definite plurals in English (or Hungarian),number is relevant,it existentially quantifies over the number argument.[[dog-s]] = DOGS = wxn[DOG(w)(n)(x)]The number n is unrestricted:Did you eat apples?Yes, one. / *No, one.Scalar implicature forces number choice in cases likeThis is an apple. (vs. These are apples).

Semantically relevant singular in bare singulars, e.g. Slavic languages like Czech:[[pes]] = w x[DOG(w)(1)(x)]

Treatment of Articles

Indefinite article:[[a]] = wRPx[R(1)(x) P(x)][[a dog]]

= w[{[[a]](w), [[dog]](w)}] = w[[[a]](w)([[dog]](w))]

= wPx[DOG(w)(1)(x) P(x)]Combination with VP: [[[[a dog] [is barking]]]]

= w[[[a dog]](w)([[is barking]](w))]= w[Px[DOG(w)(1)(x) P(x)]

(BARKING(w))]= wx[DOG(w)(1)(x) BARKING(w)(x)]

Existential type shift with bare NPs

Bare NPs in episodic sentences:[[[dogs [are barking]]]]

= w[{[[dogs]](w), [[are barking]](w)}], functional application impossibleexistential type shift of [[dogs]]: w[{[[[dogs]](w)], [[are barking]](w)}]= w[[xn[DOG(w)(n)(x)](BARKING(w))] = w[Pxn[DOG(w)(n)(x) P(x)](BARKING(w))]= wxn[DOG(w)(n)(x) BARKING(w)(x)]

Notice: Existential type shift on [[are barking]](w) is possible as well,with the same result(cf. van Geenhoven, McNally)

Existential type shift leads to narrow scope

Dogs aren’t barkingLF: [dogs 1[aren’t [t1 barking]]]

Interpretation:[[[dogs 1[arent’t [t1 barking]]]]]

= w[{[[dogs]](w), [[1[arent’t [t1 barking]]]](w)}]

= w[{[[dogs]](w), 1[[[aren’t [t1 barking]]]]}]

= w[{[[dogs]](w), 1[[[aren’t [t1 barking]]]t1 1(w)]

= w[{[[dogs]](w), 1[[{BARKING(w), 1}]]}]

= w[1[[{BARKING(w), 1}]([[dogs]](w))]= w[[{BARKING(w), [[dogs]](w)}]]type shift necessary at this point; existential shift only option:= w[[{BARKING(w), [[[dogs]]](w)}]]= w[[[[dogs]]](w)(BARKING(w))]= w[Pxn[DOG(w)(n)(x) P(w)(x)](BARKING(w))]= wxn[DOG(w)(n)(x) BARKING(w)(x)]

Local triggering of type shift leads to narrow scope, as in Chierchia (1998)

Existential type shift leads to narrow scope

Why not *Dog is barking?1. Because [[dog]] is not a property,

but a relation between numbers and individuals. No type shift defined for such relations.

2. Even if [[dog]] were a property, or a type shift by specifying the number as 1 were

defined: Existential type shift is blocked by indefinite article, a.

Why no type shift to a definite interpretation, ‘The dogs aren’t barking’This is blocked by the overt definite article, the, and possible in languages without definite article, e.g. Slavic.

Some vs. bare NPs

Why is existential type shift of dogs not blocked by some, e.g. Some dogs are barking?Because some does not just express existence, it triggers specific interpretations; these interpretations can be captured by choice functions.

Example:Some dogs aren’t barking.wƒ[[BARKING(ƒ(xn[DOG(w)(n)(x)])]equivalent to: wx[n[DOG(w)(n)(x) BARKING(w)(x)]]

Derivation of reading:[[some dogs]] = ƒ(xn[DOG(w)(n)(x)])Choice function variable ƒ is existentially bound at certain positions.

Specific reading does not necessarily mean wide scope, cf. Every student read some bookChoice function is bound under the scope of every, cf. Abusch (1993).

Specific reading / choice function interpretation excludes characterizing interpretation:Some dogs bark. No characterizing reading except under taxonomic interpretation.

Wide-scope bare NPs

Wide-scope reading of certain bare NPs observed Carlson (1977).Parts of that machine aren’t working.The police is looking for persons in this building.

Chierchia (1998): These NPs do not correspond to kinds, hence existential type shift with the option for wide-scope interpretation:If kind type shift is ruled out, existential type shift becomes an option.

Explanation within current theory:» Assume an existential type shift CF with choice function interpretation:

P ==> ƒ(P), with ƒ a choice function, to be bound existentially.» This type shift is blocked by overt some.» However, some can have a partive interpretation

(roughly, when the head N refers to a finite or given set):some parts of that machine means: ‘some (but not all) parts’some persons in this building means: ‘some (but not all) persons i.th.b.’

» In cases in which partitive interpretation of some is likely, some does not block choice function type shift, hence wide-scope interpretation of bare NPs is possible.

Prediction: Wide-scope reading of bare NPs occur if some would have a partitive interpretation

Regular Kind Predications

Regular kind predications:Dodos are extinct.

Assume type shift by , following Chierchia:[[Dodos are extinct]]= w[{EXTINCT(w), wxn[DODO(w)(n)(x)]}]type shift required: w[EXTINCT(w)( [wxn[DODO(w)(n)(x)]])] w[EXTINCT(w)( wxn[DODO(w)(n)(x)])]

Why not *Dodo became extinct?Because is not defined only for properties, not for relations between numbers and entities, like DODO.

Why not existential type shift?Because the result would violate sortal restrictions:EXTINCT is defined for kind individuals, not for objects.

Characterizing statements

Characterizing statements with bare NPs:Dogs bark.

No type shift required, as we need a predicate in the restrictor:w[GEN(w)(wxn[DOG(w)(n)(x)])(wx[BARK(w)(x)])]

Why not *Dog barks?Again, because DOG is a relation, not a property; we need properties for specifying the restrictor.

How to derive characterizing statements with singular indefinites,like A dog barks or A lion has a mane?Recall: Indefinite article leads to quantifier interpretation, [[a dog]] = wPx[DOG(w)(1)(x) P(x)].Shifting to a property interpretation by type shift BE:w[GEN(w)

(w[BE[P’x[DOG(w)(1)(x) P’(x)]]])(wx[BARK(w)(x)])]= w[GEN(w)

(wx[DOG(w)(1)(x)])(wx[BARK(w)(x)])]

Reflexive and control anaphora

At the meeting, Martians claimed [PRO to be almost extinct]*At the meeting, some Martians claimed [PRO to be almost extinct]Martians1 claimed [PRO1 to be almost extinct].

w[{[[Martians]](w), [[claimed]](w)({[[PRO1]]PRO1[[Martians]](w), [[almost extinct]](w)}])}]

= w[{[[Martians]](w), [[claimed]](w)([{[[Martians]](w), [[ almost extinct]](w)}])}]

type mismatch (twice) with [[Martians]], requiring type shifts by and := w[{[[Martians]](w),

[[claimed]](w)([{[[Martians]](w), [[almost extinct]](w)}])}]= w[[[Martians]](w)(CLAIMED(w)(ALMOST_EXTINCT(w)([[Martians]]))]= w[Px[n[MARTIAN(w)(n)(x) P(x)]

(CLAIMED(w)(ALMOST_EXTINCT(w)(wyn[MARTIAN(w)(n)(y)])))]= wx[n[MARTIAN(w)(n)(x)

CLAIMED(w)(ALMOST_EXTINCT(w)(wyn[MARTIAN(w)(n)(y)]))(x)]

Conclusion

“Bare NPs: Indefinites, Kind-referring, Both, or Neither?”Answer: All of the above.

They are basically neither indefinites nor kind-referring, but properties:[[dogs]] = wxn[DOG(w)(n)(x)][[gold]] = wx[GOLD(w)(x)]But they can be shifted to indefinites:[[dogs]] = wPx[[[dogs]](w) P(x)]And they can be shifted to kind-referring NPs:[[dogs]] = [[dogs]]Hence, they are both kind-referring and indefinites.

With nouns referring to finite set, they also can be shifted to choice function interpretation:

CF[[persons in this building]] = w[ƒ([[persons in this building]](w))],where ƒ is bound existentially.

Additional type shifts exist, e.g. bridging (Condoravdi 1992):A serial killer was haunting the campus. Students were aware of the danger.

Appendix 1: The role of information structure

Information structure in characterizing statements (Rooth 1995, Krifka 1995, 2001)Frenchmen wear a BERET.w[GEN(w) (wx[FRENCHMEN(w)(x)]) (wxy[BERET(w)(y) WEAR(w)(y)(x)]FRENCHmen wear a beret.

w[GEN(w) (wy[BERET(w)(y)])(wyx[FRENCHMEN(w)(x) WEAR(w)(y)(x)]

Analysis by Krifka (2001): Restrictor must be deaccented, “topical”.

Explanation of complexity requirement in Romance languages:NPs must be heavy enough to realize topic accent:

Elefanti di colore bianco possono creare grande curiosità.*Elefanti possono creare grande curiosità. (Longobardi 2001)

The role of information structure: Stage level and Individual level predicates

Influence of episodic / stative contrast (cf. Carlson 1977, “stage level” and “individual level” predicates). Dodos walked towards the sailors. (episodic => non-generic)Dodos liked to eat grass. (stative => generic)

Analysis by Erteshik-Shir & Cohen (2001):

» Every sentence must have a topic.

» In episodic sentences, a possible topic is the situation talked about.

» Stative situations don’t refer to a situation talked about, so something else must be the topic, this can be interpreted as the restrictor of a generic statement.

The role of information structure in kind reference

Shift by down operator only if NP can count as a topic, by its position and accent. Transistors were invented by Shockley. (kind-referring o.k,)Shockley invented transistors. (only taxonomic reading)Shockley invented the transistor. (kind-referring o.k.)

Kind-referring interpretation of bare singulars only in topic position:Hindi (Dayal 1992), Brazilian Portuguese (Schmitt & Munn 1999),Hebrew (Doron 2003)namer / ha-namer hit’ara kan.tiger / DEF-tiger struck-roots here.‘The tiger became indigenous here’profesor li xoker et ha-namer.professor Li investigates OBJ DEF-tiger‘Professor Li investigates the tiger (specific animal, or species).’professor li xoker namer.‘Professor Li investigates a tiger.’ (only non-kind-referring, or taxonomic)

Appendix 2: Definite Generic NPs

Examples:The dog evolved 100,000 years ago.The dodo is extinct.The lion has a mane.

Such NPs do not refer to the same kind as bare plurals(Chierchia 1998, following Kleiber 1989)Lions are numerous.*The lion is numerous.

Assume that definite generic NPs refer to atomic individualsthat are related to plural kinds via operator

Kind interpretation of lions: [[lions]] = wxn[LION(w)(n)(x)],

= wxn[LION(w)(n)(x)],an individual concept, the function from worlds w that picks out the maximal individual that falls under the predicate ‘lions’ in w.

Kind interpretation of the lion:[[the lion]] = LIONS, = LEO LEONIS, an atomic individual of the sort ‘kind’.

Appendix2: Definite Generic NPs

Type shift to specimens: If k is a kind, then Sk = wx[SPECIM(w)(k)(x)]Characterizing predications via membership relation:

The lion (usually) has a mane.wGEN(w) (S[[the lion]])([[has a mane]])]

This is not a simple episodic sentences because this would require two type shifts: S and , and this reading can be achieved in simpler ways.

[[The lion approached us.]] = w[{S[[[[the lion]](w), [[approached us]](w)}]more complex than[[Lions approached us.]]= w[{[[[[lions]](w), [[approached us]](w)}]

Treatment of predicates like be rare as event-related:A tiger is rare. ‘To encounter a tiger is rare.’Type shift by BE: w[RARE(w)(BE[[a tiger]])] The tiger is rare. ‘To encounter a specimen of the tiger is rare.’Type shift by S: w[RARE(w)(S[[the tiger]])]

The paper to this talk is published in the proceedings of SALT XIII

and can be downloaded at:www.amor.rz.hu-berlin .de/~h2816i3x

Tokyo, Todai University, September 24, 2004 Bare Plurals: Kind-referring, Indefinites, Both, or...

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