WiSe22/23: Constraint-based Semantics 2
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HPSG-neutral notation for LRS
Constraints
Metavariables: α, β, ɣ, ..., φ, ψ, ...
Contribution constraints:
- call(x)
The semantic representation of a sign with a contribution constraint of the form call(x) must be an expression containing call(x) as a subexpression - ¬α
The semantic representation of a sign with a contribution constraint of the form ¬α must be an expression containing ¬α as a subexpression where α can be any expression.
Embedding constraints:
- α[call(x)]
The metavariable α is any expression containing call(x) as a subexpression.
Combinatorial semantics
When two signs combine,
- all constraints on the combining signs' semantic representation also apply to the resulting combination, and
- additional constraints may be added through principles of grammar.
Internal content
internal content: The scopally lowest contributed element, marked in curly brackets: {φ}
- call: {call(x)}
- everyone: ∀x({person(x)} : β[x])
External content
external content: The semantic representation of a complete sign, marked by underlining: φ
- everyone: ∀x({person(x)} : β[x])
Combinatorially added constraints
When an auxiliary combines with its VP complement, the internal content of the complement must be the internal content of the auxiliary.
Example:
- call: {call(x)}
- didn't: ¬α[{α'}]
- didn't call: β[call(x), ¬α[{α'}, α'≡call(x) ]
When a determiner combines with a head, the head's internal content is a subexpression of the determiner's restrictor.
Example:
- book: {book(x)}
- every: {∀}x(φ[x] : ψ[x])
- every book: α[{book(x)}, {∀}x(φ[x] : ψ[x]), φ[book(x)]
This constraint can be expressed more compactly as: α[{∀}x(φ[x, {book(x)}] : ψ[x])]
When a quantified NP combines with a head, the head's internal content is a subexpression of the quantifier's restrictor.
Example:
- called: {call(x)}
- someone: ∃x({person(x)} : ψ[x])
- Someone called.: α[{call(x)}, ∃x({person(x)} : ψ[x]), ψ[call(x)]]
This constraint can be expressed more compactly as: α[∃x({person(x)} : ψ[x,{call(x)}])]