Plurality inferences are scalar implicatures : evidence from acquisition

Lyn Tieu, Cory Bill, Jacopo Romoli, Stephen Crain

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paper

Abstract

![CDATA[This paper provides novel experimental evidence for a scalar implicature approach to the plurality inferences that are associated with English plural morphology (Emily fed giraffes Emily fed more than one giraffe). Using a Truth Value Judgment Task, we show that both adults and 4–5-year-old children compute more plurality inferences in upward-entailing than downward-entailing environments, but children compute fewer plurality inferences overall than adults do. These findings are consistent with previous research demonstrating children’s relative insensitivity to scalar implicatures. We discuss the implications of these findings for theories of plurality inferences, and for the acquisition of scalar inferences more generally.]]
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of SALT 24: Proceedings of the 24th Semantics and Linguistic Theory Conference, held at New York University, May 30 - June 1, 2014
PublisherCornell University
Pages122-136
Number of pages15
Publication statusPublished - 2014
EventConference on Semantics and Linguistic Theory -
Duration: 1 Jan 2016 → …

Conference

ConferenceConference on Semantics and Linguistic Theory
Period1/01/16 → …

Keywords

  • English language
  • language acquisition
  • grammar, comparative and general
  • morphology

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