Types of common nouns in Ga

Agata RenansUniversity of Potsdam

September 17, 2013Dusseldorf

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 1 / 34

Introduction

Ga language

spoken in West Africa, in Ghana

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 2 / 34

Introduction

Ga language

the Greater Accra Region

600 000 speakers

one of the five governmentsupported languages, taughtin the schools

SVO, 2 tones: low and high

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 3 / 34

Introduction

The main claims:

There are three types of CNs in Ga:

singular and plural count nounsmass nounsintermediate nouns

one of the main evidence for the existence of the third intermediatetype of CNs → interaction with the exclusive particles

The plan of the talk

1 three types of CNs in Ga

2 exclusive particles in Ga

3 (1) + (2) = interaction of the different types of CNs with the exclusiveparticles

4 analysis

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 4 / 34

Introduction

The main claims:

There are three types of CNs in Ga:

singular and plural count nounsmass nounsintermediate nouns

one of the main evidence for the existence of the third intermediatetype of CNs → interaction with the exclusive particles

The plan of the talk

1 three types of CNs in Ga

2 exclusive particles in Ga

3 (1) + (2) = interaction of the different types of CNs with the exclusiveparticles

4 analysis

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 4 / 34

Introduction

Common Nouns in Ga

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 5 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Count nouns

they can be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

they obtain morphological plural markers when they refer to a cumulation of theNP-entities

(1) Kofi

K.

ye

eat

sEbE-i

egg.plant-PL

2

2

nyE.

yesterday

‘Kofi ate two egg plants yesterday.’

wolo (book), nyEmi yoo (sister), aduawa (fruit), sEbE (eggplant), akpoplonto (turtle),mama (textile), weku (family)

Mass nouns

they cannot be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the NP-entities

(2) *Kofi

K.

ye

eat

yOO

bean

2

2

nyE.

yesterday.

‘Kofi ate two beans yesterday.’

(3) Kofi

K.

ye

eat

yOO

bean

pii

many

nyE.

yesterday.

‘Kofi ate a lot of beans yesterday.’

yOO, nu (water), fO (oil), gari (gries), shika (money), su (mud), waN (grey hair), tawa(tobacco)

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 6 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Count nouns

they can be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

they obtain morphological plural markers when they refer to a cumulation of theNP-entities

(1) Kofi

K.

ye

eat

sEbE-i

egg.plant-PL

2

2

nyE.

yesterday

‘Kofi ate two egg plants yesterday.’

wolo (book), nyEmi yoo (sister), aduawa (fruit), sEbE (eggplant), akpoplonto (turtle),mama (textile), weku (family)

Mass nouns

they cannot be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the NP-entities

(2) *Kofi

K.

ye

eat

yOO

bean

2

2

nyE.

yesterday.

‘Kofi ate two beans yesterday.’

(3) Kofi

K.

ye

eat

yOO

bean

pii

many

nyE.

yesterday.

‘Kofi ate a lot of beans yesterday.’

yOO, nu (water), fO (oil), gari (gries), shika (money), su (mud), waN (grey hair), tawa(tobacco)

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 6 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Count nouns

they can be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

they obtain morphological plural markers when they refer to a cumulation of theNP-entities

(1) Kofi

K.

ye

eat

sEbE-i

egg.plant-PL

2

2

nyE.

yesterday

‘Kofi ate two egg plants yesterday.’

wolo (book), nyEmi yoo (sister), aduawa (fruit), sEbE (eggplant), akpoplonto (turtle),mama (textile), weku (family)

Mass nouns

they cannot be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the NP-entities

(2) *Kofi

K.

ye

eat

yOO

bean

2

2

nyE.

yesterday.

‘Kofi ate two beans yesterday.’

(3) Kofi

K.

ye

eat

yOO

bean

pii

many

nyE.

yesterday.

‘Kofi ate a lot of beans yesterday.’

yOO, nu (water), fO (oil), gari (gries), shika (money), su (mud), waN (grey hair), tawa(tobacco)

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 6 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Count nouns

they can be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

they obtain morphological plural markers when they refer to a cumulation of theNP-entities

(1) Kofi

K.

ye

eat

sEbE-i

egg.plant-PL

2

2

nyE.

yesterday

‘Kofi ate two egg plants yesterday.’

wolo (book), nyEmi yoo (sister), aduawa (fruit), sEbE (eggplant), akpoplonto (turtle),mama (textile), weku (family)

Mass nouns

they cannot be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the NP-entities

(2) *Kofi

K.

ye

eat

yOO

bean

2

2

nyE.

yesterday.

‘Kofi ate two beans yesterday.’

(3) Kofi

K.

ye

eat

yOO

bean

pii

many

nyE.

yesterday.

‘Kofi ate a lot of beans yesterday.’

yOO, nu (water), fO (oil), gari (gries), shika (money), su (mud), waN (grey hair), tawa(tobacco)

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 6 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Count nouns

they can be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

they obtain morphological plural markers when they refer to a cumulation of theNP-entities

(1) Kofi

K.

ye

eat

sEbE-i

egg.plant-PL

2

2

nyE.

yesterday

‘Kofi ate two egg plants yesterday.’

wolo (book), nyEmi yoo (sister), aduawa (fruit), sEbE (eggplant), akpoplonto (turtle),mama (textile), weku (family)

Mass nouns

they cannot be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the NP-entities

(2) *Kofi

K.

ye

eat

yOO

bean

2

2

nyE.

yesterday.

‘Kofi ate two beans yesterday.’

(3) Kofi

K.

ye

eat

yOO

bean

pii

many

nyE.

yesterday.

‘Kofi ate a lot of beans yesterday.’

yOO, nu (water), fO (oil), gari (gries), shika (money), su (mud), waN (grey hair), tawa(tobacco)

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 6 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Count nouns

they can be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

they obtain morphological plural markers when they refer to a cumulation of theNP-entities

(1) Kofi

K.

ye

eat

sEbE-i

egg.plant-PL

2

2

nyE.

yesterday

‘Kofi ate two egg plants yesterday.’

wolo (book), nyEmi yoo (sister), aduawa (fruit), sEbE (eggplant), akpoplonto (turtle),mama (textile), weku (family)

Mass nouns

they cannot be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the NP-entities

(2) *Kofi

K.

ye

eat

yOO

bean

2

2

nyE.

yesterday.

‘Kofi ate two beans yesterday.’

(3) Kofi

K.

ye

eat

yOO

bean

pii

many

nyE.

yesterday.

‘Kofi ate a lot of beans yesterday.’

yOO, nu (water), fO (oil), gari (gries), shika (money), su (mud), waN (grey hair), tawa(tobacco)

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 6 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Count nouns

they can be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

they obtain morphological plural markers when they refer to a cumulation of theNP-entities

(1) Kofi

K.

ye

eat

sEbE-i

egg.plant-PL

2

2

nyE.

yesterday

‘Kofi ate two egg plants yesterday.’

wolo (book), nyEmi yoo (sister), aduawa (fruit), sEbE (eggplant), akpoplonto (turtle),mama (textile), weku (family)

Mass nouns

they cannot be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the NP-entities

(2) *Kofi

K.

ye

eat

yOO

bean

2

2

nyE.

yesterday.

‘Kofi ate two beans yesterday.’

(3) Kofi

K.

ye

eat

yOO

bean

pii

many

nyE.

yesterday.

‘Kofi ate a lot of beans yesterday.’

yOO, nu (water), fO (oil), gari (gries), shika (money), su (mud), waN (grey hair), tawa(tobacco)

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 6 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Intermediate nouns

like count nouns ⇒ they can be combined with numerals without the use ofclassifiers

like mass nouns ⇒ they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the

NP-entities

(4) Lisa

Lisa

ye

eat

atomo

potato

2

2

nyE.

yesterday

‘Lisa ate two potatoes yesterday.’

(5) Lisa

Lisa

ye

eat

atomo

potato

nyE.

yesterday

‘Lisa ate potato(s) yesterday.’ ⇒ it does not follow how many

loo (fish), bloodo (bread), amo (tomato), atomo (potato), kOmi (kenkey), amadaa(plaintain), abonua (lemon), waa (snail), kaa (crab), Naa (crab)

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 7 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Intermediate nouns

like count nouns ⇒ they can be combined with numerals without the use ofclassifiers

like mass nouns ⇒ they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the

NP-entities

(4) Lisa

Lisa

ye

eat

atomo

potato

2

2

nyE.

yesterday

‘Lisa ate two potatoes yesterday.’

(5) Lisa

Lisa

ye

eat

atomo

potato

nyE.

yesterday

‘Lisa ate potato(s) yesterday.’ ⇒ it does not follow how many

loo (fish), bloodo (bread), amo (tomato), atomo (potato), kOmi (kenkey), amadaa(plaintain), abonua (lemon), waa (snail), kaa (crab), Naa (crab)

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 7 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Intermediate nouns

like count nouns ⇒ they can be combined with numerals without the use ofclassifiers

like mass nouns ⇒ they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the

NP-entities

(4) Lisa

Lisa

ye

eat

atomo

potato

2

2

nyE.

yesterday

‘Lisa ate two potatoes yesterday.’

(5) Lisa

Lisa

ye

eat

atomo

potato

nyE.

yesterday

‘Lisa ate potato(s) yesterday.’ ⇒ it does not follow how many

loo (fish), bloodo (bread), amo (tomato), atomo (potato), kOmi (kenkey), amadaa(plaintain), abonua (lemon), waa (snail), kaa (crab), Naa (crab)

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 7 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Intermediate nouns

like count nouns ⇒ they can be combined with numerals without the use ofclassifiers

like mass nouns ⇒ they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the

NP-entities

(4) Lisa

Lisa

ye

eat

atomo

potato

2

2

nyE.

yesterday

‘Lisa ate two potatoes yesterday.’

(5) Lisa

Lisa

ye

eat

atomo

potato

nyE.

yesterday

‘Lisa ate potato(s) yesterday.’ ⇒ it does not follow how many

loo (fish), bloodo (bread), amo (tomato), atomo (potato), kOmi (kenkey), amadaa(plaintain), abonua (lemon), waa (snail), kaa (crab), Naa (crab)

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 7 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Intermediate nouns

like count nouns ⇒ they can be combined with numerals without the use ofclassifiers

like mass nouns ⇒ they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the

NP-entities

(4) Lisa

Lisa

ye

eat

atomo

potato

2

2

nyE.

yesterday

‘Lisa ate two potatoes yesterday.’

(5) Lisa

Lisa

ye

eat

atomo

potato

nyE.

yesterday

‘Lisa ate potato(s) yesterday.’ ⇒ it does not follow how many

loo (fish), bloodo (bread), amo (tomato), atomo (potato), kOmi (kenkey), amadaa(plaintain), abonua (lemon), waa (snail), kaa (crab), Naa (crab)

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 7 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Intermediate nouns

like count nouns ⇒ they can be combined with numerals without the use ofclassifiers

like mass nouns ⇒ they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the

NP-entities

(4) Lisa

Lisa

ye

eat

atomo

potato

2

2

nyE.

yesterday

‘Lisa ate two potatoes yesterday.’

(5) Lisa

Lisa

ye

eat

atomo

potato

nyE.

yesterday

‘Lisa ate potato(s) yesterday.’ ⇒ it does not follow how many

loo (fish), bloodo (bread), amo (tomato), atomo (potato), kOmi (kenkey), amadaa(plaintain), abonua (lemon), waa (snail), kaa (crab), Naa (crab)

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 7 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Count Nouns

The denotation of count nouns — sublattice structures (Link 1983):

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

sEbEi

sEbE

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 8 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Mass nouns 1

f⊕g⊕h

f⊕g f⊕h g⊕h

... ......

Link (1983), (Wilhelm 2008)

Mass nouns 2

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

Chierchia (1998)

Mass nouns

they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the NP-entities

they cannot be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

Intermediate nouns

they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the NP-entities

they can be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 9 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Mass nouns in Ga

f⊕g⊕h

f⊕g f⊕h g⊕h

... ......

Intermediate nouns in Ga

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

Mass nouns

they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the NP-entities

they cannot be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

Intermediate nouns

they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the NP-entities

they can be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 9 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Mass nouns in Ga

f⊕g⊕h

f⊕g f⊕h g⊕h

... ......

Intermediate nouns in Ga

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

Mass nouns

they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the NP-entities

they cannot be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

Intermediate nouns

they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the NP-entities

they can be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 9 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Mass nouns in Ga

f⊕g⊕h

f⊕g f⊕h g⊕h

... ......

Intermediate nouns in Ga

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

Mass nouns

they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the NP-entities

they cannot be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers,

Intermediate nouns

they are not pluralized when they refer to a cumulation of the NP-entities

they can be combined with numerals without the use of classifiers

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 9 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Intermediate summary:

3 types of CNs in Ga:

count → sublattice structures

mass → a full join-semilattice structure without the atomic elements

intermediate → a full join-semilattice structure with atomic elements

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 10 / 34

Common Nouns in Ga

Exclusive particles in Ga

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 11 / 34

Exclusive particles

Exclusives in Ga — Introduction

Unusual proliferation of exclusives in Ga:

(6) a. Basic exclusives:kome, too, pE, kEkE, sOO

b. Complex exclusives:kome too, kome pE, kome too pE, too pE, kEkE pE, etc.

kome → is not a full-blooded exclusive; derives from ekome (one)

pE, too → typical exclusive particles, the differences in their semanticsare hard to detect, BUT:

they are visible when pE and too are part of the complex exclusives:kome pE and kome too

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 12 / 34

Exclusive particles

Exclusives in Ga — Introduction

Unusual proliferation of exclusives in Ga:

(6) a. Basic exclusives:kome, too, pE, kEkE, sOO

b. Complex exclusives:kome too, kome pE, kome too pE, too pE, kEkE pE, etc.

kome → is not a full-blooded exclusive; derives from ekome (one)

pE, too → typical exclusive particles, the differences in their semanticsare hard to detect, BUT:

they are visible when pE and too are part of the complex exclusives:kome pE and kome too

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 12 / 34

Exclusive particles

Exclusives in Ga — Introduction

Unusual proliferation of exclusives in Ga:

(6) a. Basic exclusives:kome, too, pE, kEkE, sOO

b. Complex exclusives:kome too, kome pE, kome too pE, too pE, kEkE pE, etc.

kome → is not a full-blooded exclusive; derives from ekome (one)

pE, too → typical exclusive particles, the differences in their semanticsare hard to detect, BUT:

they are visible when pE and too are part of the complex exclusives:kome pE and kome too

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 12 / 34

Exclusive particles

Exclusives in Ga — Introduction

Unusual proliferation of exclusives in Ga:

(6) a. Basic exclusives:kome, too, pE, kEkE, sOO

b. Complex exclusives:kome too, kome pE, kome too pE, too pE, kEkE pE, etc.

kome → is not a full-blooded exclusive; derives from ekome (one)

pE, too → typical exclusive particles, the differences in their semanticsare hard to detect, BUT:

they are visible when pE and too are part of the complex exclusives:kome pE and kome too

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 12 / 34

Exclusive particles

Exclusives in Ga — Introduction

Unusual proliferation of exclusives in Ga:

(6) a. Basic exclusives:kome, too, pE, kEkE, sOO

b. Complex exclusives:kome too, kome pE, kome too pE, too pE, kEkE pE, etc.

kome → is not a full-blooded exclusive; derives from ekome (one)

pE, too → typical exclusive particles, the differences in their semanticsare hard to detect, BUT:

they are visible when pE and too are part of the complex exclusives:kome pE and kome too

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 12 / 34

Interaction of three types of CNs with exclusive particles

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 13 / 34

CNs and exclusives

Interaction with singular count nouns → as expected

(7) KofiK.

hebought

wolobook

X kome pE/PART

X kome tooPART

nyE.yesterday

‘Kofi bought only (one) book yesterday.’

Interaction with mass nouns

(8) KofiK.

hebought

yOObean

*kome pE/PART

Xkome tooPART

nyE.yesterday

‘Kofi bought only beans yesterday.’

Interaction with intermediate nouns

(9) KofiK.

hebought

atomopotato

X kome pE/

PART

Xkome tooPART

nyE.yesterday

‘Kofi bought only 1 potato/ only potato(s) yesterday.’

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 14 / 34

CNs and exclusives

Interaction with singular count nouns → as expected

(7) KofiK.

hebought

wolobook

X kome pE/PART

X kome tooPART

nyE.yesterday

‘Kofi bought only (one) book yesterday.’

Interaction with mass nouns

(8) KofiK.

hebought

yOObean

*kome pE/PART

Xkome tooPART

nyE.yesterday

‘Kofi bought only beans yesterday.’

Interaction with intermediate nouns

(9) KofiK.

hebought

atomopotato

X kome pE/

PART

Xkome tooPART

nyE.yesterday

‘Kofi bought only 1 potato/ only potato(s) yesterday.’

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 14 / 34

CNs and exclusives

Interaction with singular count nouns → as expected

(7) KofiK.

hebought

wolobook

X kome pE/PART

X kome tooPART

nyE.yesterday

‘Kofi bought only (one) book yesterday.’

Interaction with mass nouns

(8) KofiK.

hebought

yOObean

*kome pE/PART

Xkome tooPART

nyE.yesterday

‘Kofi bought only beans yesterday.’

Interaction with intermediate nouns

(9) KofiK.

hebought

atomopotato

X kome pE/

PART

Xkome tooPART

nyE.yesterday

‘Kofi bought only 1 potato/ only potato(s) yesterday.’

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 14 / 34

CNs and exclusives

Interaction of common nouns with exclusives in Ga

kome kome pE kome too too pE

sg. count nouns 1 NP only 1 NP only (1) NP only NP only NPmass nouns − − only NP only NP only NPintermed. nouns 1 NP only 1 NP only NP only NP only NP

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 15 / 34

CNs and exclusives

Interaction of common nouns with exclusives in Ga

kome kome pE kome too too pE

sg. count nouns 1 NP only 1 NP only (1) NP only NP only NPmass nouns − − only NP only NP only NPintermed. nouns 1 NP only 1 NP only NP only NP only NP

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 15 / 34

CNs and exclusives

Interaction of common nouns with exclusives in Ga

kome kome pE kome too too pE

sg. count nouns 1 NP only 1 NP only (1) NP only NP only NPmass nouns − − only NP only NP only NPintermed. nouns 1 NP only 1 NP only NP only NP only NP

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 15 / 34

Interaction of CNs with exclusive particles — analysis

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 16 / 34

Interaction — analysis

Part 1. Denotations of CNs

Count nouns

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

Mass nouns

f⊕g⊕h

f⊕g f⊕h g⊕h

... ......

Intermediate nouns

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 17 / 34

Interaction — analysis

Part 2. Denotations of exclusive particles

Denotations of basic exclusives

kome → is analysed as a choice function (CF):

(10) A choice function is a function from sets of individuals that picks aunique individual from any non-empty set in its domain (Kratzer 1997).The output of the CF must be an atomic element.

pE → is a generalized quantifier:

(11) [[pE]] = λPλQ∀(x)[Q(x)→ P(x)]

too → is a particle that incorporates Landman’s (1989) group forming operator (‘↑’)(12) [[too]] = λP.λx . for all z ∈ P : x =↑ (z)

Complex exclusives

scope differences → pE scopes over kome, whereas too is in the scope of kome

(13) pE (kome (too))

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 18 / 34

Interaction — analysis

Part 2. Denotations of exclusive particles

Denotations of basic exclusives

kome → is analysed as a choice function (CF):

(10) A choice function is a function from sets of individuals that picks aunique individual from any non-empty set in its domain (Kratzer 1997).The output of the CF must be an atomic element.

pE → is a generalized quantifier:

(11) [[pE]] = λPλQ∀(x)[Q(x)→ P(x)]

too → is a particle that incorporates Landman’s (1989) group forming operator (‘↑’)(12) [[too]] = λP.λx . for all z ∈ P : x =↑ (z)

Complex exclusives

scope differences → pE scopes over kome, whereas too is in the scope of kome

(13) pE (kome (too))

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Interaction — analysis

Part 2. Denotations of exclusive particles

Denotations of basic exclusives

kome → is analysed as a choice function (CF):

(10) A choice function is a function from sets of individuals that picks aunique individual from any non-empty set in its domain (Kratzer 1997).The output of the CF must be an atomic element.

pE → is a generalized quantifier:

(11) [[pE]] = λPλQ∀(x)[Q(x)→ P(x)]

too → is a particle that incorporates Landman’s (1989) group forming operator (‘↑’)(12) [[too]] = λP.λx . for all z ∈ P : x =↑ (z)

Complex exclusives

scope differences → pE scopes over kome, whereas too is in the scope of kome

(13) pE (kome (too))

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Interaction — analysis

Part 2. Denotations of exclusive particles

Denotations of basic exclusives

kome → is analysed as a choice function (CF):

(10) A choice function is a function from sets of individuals that picks aunique individual from any non-empty set in its domain (Kratzer 1997).The output of the CF must be an atomic element.

pE → is a generalized quantifier:

(11) [[pE]] = λPλQ∀(x)[Q(x)→ P(x)]

too → is a particle that incorporates Landman’s (1989) group forming operator (‘↑’)(12) [[too]] = λP.λx . for all z ∈ P : x =↑ (z)

Complex exclusives

scope differences → pE scopes over kome, whereas too is in the scope of kome

(13) pE (kome (too))

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Interaction — analysis

Complex exclusives:

(NP kome) pE:

(14) [[NP kome]] = f (λx .[[NP]](x))

(14) is shifted in the Partee-style from 〈e〉 to 〈e, t〉:

(15) [[NP kome]]λy .y = f (λx .[[NP]](x))

(15) is feeded into the meaning of [[pE]]

(16) for all z ∈ VP : z = f (λz .[[NP]](x))

(NP too) kome:

(17) [[NP too]] = λx . for all z ∈ NP : x =↑ (z)

(18) [[(NP too) kome]] = f (λx .for all z ∈ [[NP]] : x =↑ (z))

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Interaction — analysis

Mass nouns and kome pE/kome too

(19) Kofi

K.

he

bought

yOO

bean

*kome pE/

PART

Xkome too

PART

nyE.

yesterday

‘Kofi bought only beans yesterday.’

kome pE kome too

mass nouns − only NP

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Interaction — analysis

Mass nouns and kome pE

kome → is analysed as a CF pE → is a generalized quantifier

omo (rice)

f⊕g⊕h

f⊕g f⊕h g⊕h

... ......

2. *(omo kome) pE

There are no atomic elements in the above structure that can be picked up by the CFdenoted by kome ⇒ kome pE cannot modify mass nouns

kome pE kome too

mass nouns − only NP

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Interaction — analysis

Mass nouns and kome pE

kome → is analysed as a CF pE → is a generalized quantifier

omo (rice)

f⊕g⊕h

f⊕g f⊕h g⊕h

... ......

2. *(omo kome) pE

There are no atomic elements in the above structure that can be picked up by the CFdenoted by kome ⇒ kome pE cannot modify mass nouns

kome pE kome too

mass nouns − only NP

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Interaction — analysis

Mass nouns and kome pE

kome → is analysed as a CF pE → is a generalized quantifier

1. *omo kome

f⊕g⊕h

f⊕g f⊕h g⊕h

... ......

2. *(omo kome) pE

There are no atomic elements in the above structure that can be picked up by the CFdenoted by kome ⇒ kome pE cannot modify mass nouns

kome pE kome too

mass nouns − only NP

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Interaction — analysis

Mass nouns and kome pE

kome → is analysed as a CF pE → is a generalized quantifier

1. *omo kome

f⊕g⊕h

f⊕g f⊕h g⊕h

... ......

2. *(omo kome) pE

There are no atomic elements in the above structure that can be picked up by the CFdenoted by kome ⇒ kome pE cannot modify mass nouns

kome pE kome too

mass nouns − only NP

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 21 / 34

Interaction — analysis

Mass nouns and kome pE

kome → is analysed as a CF pE → is a generalized quantifier

1. *omo kome

f⊕g⊕h

f⊕g f⊕h g⊕h

... ......

2. *(omo kome) pE

There are no atomic elements in the above structure that can be picked up by the CFdenoted by kome ⇒ kome pE cannot modify mass nouns

kome pE kome too

mass nouns − only NP

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Interaction — analysis

Mass nouns and kome too

kome → is analysed as a CF too → particle that incorporates ‘↑’

1. omo

f⊕g⊕h

f⊕g f⊕h g⊕h

... ......

2. (omo too) kome

From the above structure, CF denoted by kome can pick up a group formed by ‘↑’ ⇒mass nouns can be modified by kome too

kome pE kome too

mass nouns − only NP

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Interaction — analysis

Mass nouns and kome too

kome → is analysed as a CF too → particle that incorporates ‘↑’

1. omo

f⊕g⊕h

f⊕g f⊕h g⊕h

... ......

2. (omo too) kome

From the above structure, CF denoted by kome can pick up a group formed by ‘↑’ ⇒mass nouns can be modified by kome too

kome pE kome too

mass nouns − only NP

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Interaction — analysis

Mass nouns and kome too

kome → is analysed as a CF too → particle that incorporates ‘↑’

1. omo too

↑(f⊕g⊕h)

↑(f⊕g) ↑(f⊕h) ↑(g⊕h)

... ......

2. (omo too) kome

From the above structure, CF denoted by kome can pick up a group formed by ‘↑’ ⇒mass nouns can be modified by kome too

kome pE kome too

mass nouns − only NP

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Interaction — analysis

Mass nouns and kome too

kome → is analysed as a CF too → particle that incorporates ‘↑’

1. omo too

↑(f⊕g⊕h)

↑(f⊕g) ↑(f⊕h) ↑(g⊕h)

... ......

2. (omo too) kome

From the above structure, CF denoted by kome can pick up a group formed by ‘↑’ ⇒mass nouns can be modified by kome too

kome pE kome too

mass nouns − only NP

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Interaction — analysis

Mass nouns and kome too

kome → is analysed as a CF too → particle that incorporates ‘↑’

1. omo too

↑(f⊕g⊕h)

↑(f⊕g) ↑(f⊕h) ↑(g⊕h)

... ......

2. (omo too) kome

From the above structure, CF denoted by kome can pick up a group formed by ‘↑’ ⇒mass nouns can be modified by kome too

kome pE kome too

mass nouns − only NP

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 22 / 34

Interaction — analysis

Mass nouns and kome too

kome → is analysed as a CF too → particle that incorporates ‘↑’

1. omo too

↑(f⊕g⊕h)

↑(f⊕g) ↑(f⊕h) ↑(g⊕h)

... ......

2. (omo too) kome

From the above structure, CF denoted by kome can pick up a group formed by ‘↑’ ⇒mass nouns can be modified by kome too

kome pE kome too

mass nouns − only NP

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Interaction — analysis

Intermediate nouns and kome pE/kome too

(20) Kofi

K.

he

bought

atomo

potato

X kome pE/

PART

Xkome too

PART

nyE.

yesterday

‘Kofi bought only 1 potato/ only potato(s) yesterday.’

kome pE kome too

intermediate nouns only 1 NP only NP

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Interaction — analysis

Intermediate nouns and kome pE/kome too

(20) Kofi

K.

he

bought

atomo

potato

X kome pE/

PART

Xkome too

PART

nyE.

yesterday

‘Kofi bought only 1 potato/ only potato(s) yesterday.’

kome pE kome too

intermediate nouns only 1 NP only NP

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Interaction — analysis

Intermediate nouns and kome pE

kome → is analysed as a CF pE → is a generalized quantifier

1. atomo

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

2. (atomo kome) pE

PE scopes over kome, we obtain the reading that everything that Kofi ate was one atomicpotato.

kome pE kome too

intermediate nouns only 1 NP only NP

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Interaction — analysis

Intermediate nouns and kome pE

kome → is analysed as a CF pE → is a generalized quantifier

1. atomo

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

2. (atomo kome) pE

PE scopes over kome, we obtain the reading that everything that Kofi ate was one atomicpotato.

kome pE kome too

intermediate nouns only 1 NP only NP

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Interaction — analysis

Intermediate nouns and kome pE

kome → is analysed as a CF pE → is a generalized quantifier

1. atomo kome

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

2. (atomo kome) pE

PE scopes over kome, we obtain the reading that everything that Kofi ate was one atomicpotato.

kome pE kome too

intermediate nouns only 1 NP only NP

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 24 / 34

Interaction — analysis

Intermediate nouns and kome pE

kome → is analysed as a CF pE → is a generalized quantifier

1. atomo kome

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

2. (atomo kome) pE

PE scopes over kome, we obtain the reading that everything that Kofi ate was one atomicpotato.

kome pE kome too

intermediate nouns only 1 NP only NP

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 24 / 34

Interaction — analysis

Intermediate nouns and kome pE

kome → is analysed as a CF pE → is a generalized quantifier

1. atomo kome

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

2. (atomo kome) pE

PE scopes over kome, we obtain the reading that everything that Kofi ate was one atomicpotato.

kome pE kome too

intermediate nouns only 1 NP only NP

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 24 / 34

Interaction — analysis

Intermediate nouns and kome too

kome → is analysed as a CF too → particle that works as ‘↑’

1. atomo

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

2. (atomo too) kome

From the above structure, CF denoted by kome can pick up any group of any cardinality⇒ we obtain the reading: only potato(s) (of unknown cardinality)

kome pE kome too

intermediate nouns only 1 NP only NP

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 25 / 34

Interaction — analysis

Intermediate nouns and kome too

kome → is analysed as a CF too → particle that works as ‘↑’

1. atomo

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

2. (atomo too) kome

From the above structure, CF denoted by kome can pick up any group of any cardinality⇒ we obtain the reading: only potato(s) (of unknown cardinality)

kome pE kome too

intermediate nouns only 1 NP only NP

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 25 / 34

Interaction — analysis

Intermediate nouns and kome too

kome → is analysed as a CF too → particle that works as ‘↑’

1. atomo too

↑(a⊕b⊕c)

↑(a⊕b) ↑(a⊕c) ↑(b⊕c)

a cb

2. (atomo too) kome

From the above structure, CF denoted by kome can pick up any group of any cardinality⇒ we obtain the reading: only potato(s) (of unknown cardinality)

kome pE kome too

intermediate nouns only 1 NP only NP

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 25 / 34

Interaction — analysis

Intermediate nouns and kome too

kome → is analysed as a CF too → particle that works as ‘↑’

1. atomo too

↑(a⊕b⊕c)

↑(a⊕b) ↑(a⊕c) ↑(b⊕c)

a cb

2. (atomo too) kome

From the above structure, CF denoted by kome can pick up any group of any cardinality⇒ we obtain the reading: only potato(s) (of unknown cardinality)

kome pE kome too

intermediate nouns only 1 NP only NP

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 25 / 34

Interaction — analysis

Intermediate nouns and kome too

kome → is analysed as a CF too → particle that works as ‘↑’

1. atomo too

↑(a⊕b⊕c)

↑(a⊕b) ↑(a⊕c) ↑(b⊕c)

a cb

2. (atomo too) kome

From the above structure, CF denoted by kome can pick up any group of any cardinality⇒ we obtain the reading: only potato(s) (of unknown cardinality)

kome pE kome too

intermediate nouns only 1 NP only NP

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 25 / 34

Interaction — analysis

Intermediate nouns and kome too

kome → is analysed as a CF too → particle that works as ‘↑’

1. atomo too

↑(a⊕b⊕c)

↑(a⊕b) ↑(a⊕c) ↑(b⊕c)

a cb

2. (atomo too) kome

From the above structure, CF denoted by kome can pick up any group of any cardinality⇒ we obtain the reading: only potato(s) (of unknown cardinality)

kome pE kome too

intermediate nouns only 1 NP only NP

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 25 / 34

Discussion

English quantifiers

DP〈〈e, t〉 , t〉

D〈〈e, t〉 , 〈〈e, t〉 , t〉〉

NP〈e, t〉

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Discussion

Quantifiers in St’at’imcets (Matthewson 2001)

QP〈〈e, t〉 , t〉

Q〈e, 〈〈e, t〉 , t〉〉

DP〈e〉

D〈〈e, t〉 , e〉

NP〈e, t〉

Ga exclusive particles can be analysed in the analogical way!

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 27 / 34

Discussion

Quantifiers in St’at’imcets (Matthewson 2001)

QP〈〈e, t〉 , t〉

Q〈e, 〈〈e, t〉 , t〉〉

DP〈e〉

D〈〈e, t〉 , e〉

NP〈e, t〉

Ga exclusive particles can be analysed in the analogical way!

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 27 / 34

Discussion

QP〈〈e, t〉 , t〉

Q〈e, 〈〈e, t〉 , t〉〉

pE

DP〈e〉

D〈〈e, t〉 , e〉

kome

NP〈e, t〉

atomo

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Summary

Summary:

traditional distinction between count and mass nouns is an insufficienttool for describing the semantics of common nouns in Ga

there are 3 types of common nouns in Ga:

singular and plural count nounsmass nounsintermediate nouns

three types of common nouns interact in the unexpected ways with theexclusive particles:

kome kome pE kome too too pE

sg. count nouns 1 NP only 1 NP only (1) NP only NP only NPmass nouns − − only NP only NP only NPintermed. nouns 1 NP only 1 NP only NP only NP only NP

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 29 / 34

Thank you very much!

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 30 / 34

Appendix

Sg count nouns and kome pE/kome too

(21) Kofi

K.

he

bought

wolo

book

X kome pE/

PART

X kome too nyE.

PART yesterday

‘Kofi bought only (one) book yesterday.’

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 31 / 34

Appendix

Singular count nouns and kome pE/ kome too

kome → is analysed as a CF too → particle that works as ‘↑’pE → generalized quantifier’

1. wolo

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 32 / 34

Appendix

Singular count nouns and kome pE/ kome too

kome → is analysed as a CF too → particle that works as ‘↑’pE → generalized quantifier’

1. wolo

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

a cb

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 32 / 34

Appendix

Interaction with the plural count nouns

(22) Priscilla

P.

he

bought

sEii

chairs

*kome pE/

PART

Xkome too

PART

nyE.

yesterday

‘Priscilla bought only chairs yesterday.’

sEii pE

a⊕b⊕c

a⊕b a⊕c b⊕c

Renans (Uni Potsdam, SFB 632) CountWorkshop 33 / 34

Appendix

Interaction with the plural count nouns

(22) Priscilla

P.

he

bought

sEii

chairs

*kome pE/

PART

Xkome too

PART

nyE.

yesterday

‘Priscilla bought only chairs yesterday.’

sEii too

↑(a⊕b⊕c)

↑(a⊕b) ↑(a⊕c) ↑(b⊕c)

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References

References:

Chierchia, G. (1998), Reference to Kinds across Languages, In NLS, 6: 339–504Kratzer, A. (1998), Scope or Pseudoscope? Are there Wide-Scope Indefinites?, InRothstein, S. (eds.), Events and GrammarLandman, F. (1989), Groups I, In L&P, 12.5: 559–605Link, G. (1983), The Logical Analysis of Plural and Mass Nouns: A Lattice-theoreticApproach. In Bauerle, E. et al. (eds.), Meaning, Use, and Interpretation of Language,302–323Matthewson, L. (2001), Quantification and the nature of crosslinguistic variation, In NLS,9: 141-189

Wilhelm, A., (2008), Bare Nouns and Number in Dene Su line, In NLS, 16: 39–68.

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