Amount Superlatives and Measure Phrases

<p>This dissertation provides a novel analysis of quantity superlatives by bringing together research on three interrelated topics: superlative ambiguity, semantic constraints on measure constructions, and the internal structure of the extended nominal phrase. I analyze the quantity words, <em>most, least</em>,<em> </em>and<em> fewest </em>as superlatives of quantificational adjectives (Q-adjectives), but argue that these are often embedded inside a covert measure construction, rather than directly modifying the overt noun. I also introduce novel data showing that the measure phrases that appear in overt pseudopartitive constructions have more complex internal structure than previously assumed. Specifically, they may contain adjectives, including superlative inflection in which case a definite article may introduce the measure phrase. The question of how superlative morphology is interpreted inside a measure phrase opens the door to a new analysis of measure nouns and measure pseudopartitive constructions. This approach is then applied to the analysis of quantity superlatives as covert measure pseudopartitives. The result is a model that accounts for the difference in relative readings available for Q-superlatives and their non-quantificational counterparts in English, with implications for superlative interpretation across languages.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Linguistics

Grantor

The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York

Year dc:date.available

2018

Author dc:creator

• Wilson, E. Cameron

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Sam Al Khatib

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• William McClure
• Jon Nissenbaum
• Yael Sharvit

• Semantics and Pragmatics
• Syntax
• measurement
• quantity
• pseudopartitives
• mereology
• adjectives
• relative readings

Repository record dc:identifier

https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/2949

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:academicworks.cuny.edu:gc_etds-4003