Author Description
This Work Explores Graded Expressions Of Modality, Such As More Likely Than And Quite Possible, Which Provide A Rich And Underexplored Source Of Insight Into Modal Semantics. The Author Explores And Expands The Typology Of Scales Among English Adjectives And Uses The Result To Shed Light On The Meanings Of A Variety Of Epistemic And Deontic Modals. General Preface -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- 1 Gradation, Scales, And Degree Semantics -- 2 Measurement Theory And The Typology Of Scales -- 3 Previous Work On Graded Modality: Lewis And Kratzer -- 4 Epistemic Adjectives: Likely And Probable -- 5 Certainty And Possibility -- 6 Implications For The Epistemic Auxiliaries -- 7 Scalar Goodness -- 8 Ought And Should -- 9 Concluding Remarks -- References -- Index Daniel Lassiter. This Edition Previously Issued In Print: 2017. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 261-272) And Index. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates how graded expressions of modality, such as 'more likely than' or 'quite possible,' function within the framework of modal semantics. Daniel Lassiter, a researcher in linguistics, utilizes measurement theory and degree semantics to analyze the typology of scales among English adjectives. By applying these formal tools, the author provides a rigorous examination of how scalar properties influence the interpretation of epistemic and deontic modals.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A formal analysis of degree semantics and measurement theory applied to linguistic scales.
- A detailed typology of English adjectives related to modality.
- An investigation into the meanings of epistemic auxiliaries and deontic terms like 'ought' and 'should'.
Scope Limits
- The text focuses primarily on English language expressions and may not address cross-linguistic variations in modal systems.
- It does not provide a general introduction to linguistics, assuming a baseline knowledge of semantic theory.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts in formal semantics recognize this text as a significant contribution to the study of scalar modality and degree-based linguistic analysis. Readers frequently note the technical density of the prose, which is intended for an audience of advanced students and professional linguists.
Page Count:
0
Publication Date:
1900-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press,
ISBN-10:
0191770612
ISBN-13:
9780191770616
Modality linguistics
Academic
Linguistics
Philosophy of
Reference
Semantics