UCL Working Papers in Linguistics 9 (1997)
A unitary approach to the interpretation of
definites
RICHARD BREHENY
This paper proposes a unitary approach to the interpretation of definites which accounts for
the
fact that all forms of such expressions can get weak and strong readings in all types of
constructions. The analysis proposed is an underdetermination account, where the universal
force
of definites is understood not to be determined by the grammar, but is routinely inferred at the
pragmatic level. The analysis assumes that the basic mechanism for interpreting definites is
the
same as that for indefinites, but that the behaviour of definites is to be explained by reference
to
certain non-truth-conditional properties of definites in combination with pragmatic
principles.
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