Meaning

In certain environments scalar implicatures systematically thaw (the side by side(p) examples be from S. Crain):

a. Lcy does non handle curious or Charlie
b. Lucy get out never in a million historic period interchangeable Snoopy or Charlie
c. No one allow for like Snoopy or Charlie
d. Every scholar who likes Snoopy or Charlie will enjoy the class

In none of these examples are we tempted to advise Paul or Bill as: Paul or Bill but not both1. Why is this?

First, we note an interesting correlation. The environments in which scalar implicatures systematically
vaporise are precisely those in which prejudicious polarity items are licensed:

a. Lucy will not like Snoopy at all
b. Lucy will never in a million years like Snoopy at all
c. No one will like Snoopy at all
d. Every pupil who likes Snoopy at all will enjoy the class

Of course, in some other environments implicatures may be cancelled, since implicatures can always be cancelled. scarce the point is that in the sentences in (6) Snoopy or Charlie is never construe as: Snoopy or Charlie but not both.

By contrast, the scalar implicature may be preserved in the environments in which negative polarity items are disallowed:

a. *Lucy likes Snoopy at all
a. *Every student likes Snoopy at all
b. *Some student likes Snoopy at all

a.



Lucy likes Snoopy or Charlie
may be understood as: Lucy likes Snoopy or Charlie but not both
b. Every student likes Snoopy or Charlie
may be understood as: Every student likes Snoopy or Charlie but not both
c. Some student likes Snoopy or Charlie
may be understood as: Some student likes Snoopy or Charlie but not both

Second, we seek an explanation for this correlation. Remember (from previous Lecture Notes) that negative
polarity items are licensed only in downward-entailing environments. From our first remark it follows that the
point to be explained is that implicatures systematically disappear in downward-entailing environments. Why
could that be?

-In normal environments, we...If you want to get a unspoiled essay, order it on our website: Orderessay



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