Semantics 1, SoSe 2014

Material for the seminar Semantics 1, summer term 2014, Goethe University, Frankfurt a.M.

Mock exam file: File:Mock-exam-sose14.pdf

The examples in the text are based on Shakespeare's play Macbeth. The full text of the play is available on Projekt Gutenberg.

Task 1: Ambiguity

Consider the following ambiguous sentences.

1. For each of these, determine the type of ambiguity.
2. Provide an unambiguous paraphrase for the possible readings.

(1) a. Duncan trusted Macbeth because he was a thane.

Check your answer

1. Type of ambiguity: referential ambiguity
2. Reading 1: he refers to Macbeth. Paraphrase: Duncan trusted Macbeth because Macbeth was a thane.
   Reading 2: he refers to Duncan. Paraphrase: Duncan trusted Macbeth because Duncan was a thane.

b. Every king trusts a thane.

Check your answer

1. Type of ambiguity: scope ambiguity
2. Reading 1: every takes scope over a. Paraphrase: For every king there is at least one thane such that the king trusts that thane.
   Reading 2: a takes scope over every. Paraphrase: There is one particular thane such that each king trusts this thane.

b. Macbeth and Macduff are married.

Check your answer

1. Type of ambiguity: collective-distributive ambiguity
2. Reading 1: collective reading. Paraphrase: Macbeth and Macduff are married to each other
   Reading 2: distributive reading. Paraphrase: Macbeth and Macduff are both married, but not to each other.

b. Macbeth killed a king with a dagger.

Check your answer

1. Type of ambiguity: structural ambiguity
2. Reading 1: the PP with a dagger is a modifier of the verb kill Paraphrase: Macbeth used a dagger to kill a king.
   Reading 2: the PP with a dagger is a modifier of the noun king. Paraphrase: Macbeth killed a king who had a dagger.

Task 2: Model and Interpretation

(Note: For this task you do not need to use the functional notation and the types)

1. Define a universe that consists of Macbeth and Banquo.

Check your answer

U = { Macbeth, Banquo }

2. Define the interpretation of the names macbeth and banquo in an intuitively plausible way.

Check your answer

I(macbeth) = Macbeth,
I(banquo) = Banquo

3. Define the interpretation of the properties thane, king, and witch is such a way that Macbeth is a king, both are thanes and neither is a witch.

Check your answer

I(thane) = {Macbeth, Banquo},
I(king) = {Macbeth},
I(witch) = {}

4. Define the interpretation of the 2-place relations mistrust and kill in such a way that Macbeth and Banquo mistrust each other and Macbeth kills Banquo.

Check your answer

I(mistrust) = {<Macbeth, Banquo>, <Banquo, Mactbeth>},
I(kill) = {<Macbeth,Banquo}

Task 3: Formulae

Write down logical formulae that express the meaning of the following sentences.

1. Banquo is a thane.

Check your answer

thane(banquo)

2. Macbeth is king and Macbeth mistrusts Banquo.

Check your answer

king(macbeth) ∧ mistrust(macbeth,banquo)

3. If Banquo is king then Macbeth does not kill Banquo. %3