Limits of cross-linguistic variability in the interpretation of underspecified structures (C02)

• Subject Area: Applied Linguistics, Computational Linguistics
• Term: since 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 317633480

The project continues looking at the limits of variability in semantic interpretation across language users and languages (German, English, Akan, Hausa, Igbo, Medumba). The focus is on the interpretation of underspecified structures, such as found in doubly quantified sentences (scope ambiguities) and in sentences with missing functional elements (article drop in DP and Serial Verb Constructions). Such sentences provide a good testing ground for hidden variability in that identical surface configurations may involve different structural derivations, as diagnosed by differences in interpretation. We will collect data in direct elicitation and in experiments, and we will begin with computationally modelling the quantitative experimental data.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1287: Limits of Variability in Language: Cognitive, Grammatical, and Social Aspects
• Applicant Institution: Universität Potsdam
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Alexander Koller, until 6/2021; Professor Dr. Malte Zimmermann