Journal of Semantics Advance Access originally published online on February 29, 2008
Journal of Semantics 2008 25(2):93-139; doi:10.1093/jos/ffm016
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A New Look at the Semantics and Pragmatics of Numerically Quantified Noun Phrases
University College London
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This paper presents some arguments against a unilateral account of numerically quantified noun phrases (NQNPs) and for a bilateral account of such expressions. It is proposed that where NQNP give rise to at least readings, this is the result of one of the two forms of pragmatic reasoning. To that end, the paper develops an independently motivated account of specificity and existential closure involving diagonalization.
Received for publication 29 November 2005. Accepted for publication 3 September 2007.