Numerals and quantifiers in X-bar syntax and their semantic interpretation
Henk J. Verkuyl · PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation) · 1981
This paper purports to contribute to the solution of a problem that can be described in two ways .The f i rst is : ' Can we provide Montaguegrammar with a syntax satisfying we l l-established needs of linguists?' .The second is : ' Can we provide Chomsky-grammar with a semantics satisfying well-recognized wishes of logical semanticists?'.Part of the problem is that one can simply deny that there is a problem at all , given the divergent goals of the respective enterprises .Nevertheless , several attempts have been made to bridge the gap (e .g .PARTEE 1975 ; COOPER & PARSONS 1976) .The aim of my paper is to "categoriali ze " the generative X-syntax such that it can provide a suitable basis for PTQ-semantics, maintaining its descriptive and explanatory force for linguistic purposes .1. SOME DESCRIPTIVE MATERIAL I shall begin with some descriptive material from the internal Noun Phrase structure .It will give an impression of what linguists -given their task t o describe natural languages -regard as valuable generalizations .Linguists of all kinds agree upon the need to order the material given in ( 1) • ( 1) a .some trees -the trees -nice trees -some nice trees •.!::-'-~ the nice trees -* the some trees -*some the trees .b .these children -three children -these three children -*three these children .If the basic aim of syntax is " to characterize the various syntactical categories ••• " (MONTAGUE 1974 , p .233) , then we may assume that certain