Children’s Interpretation of Sentences Containing Multiple Scalar Terms

Abstract Sentences containing the scalar term “some”, such as “The pig carried some of his rocks”, are usually interpreted conveying inference that did not carry all rocks. Previous research has reported when interpreting sentences, children tend to derive fewer these inferences than adults ( Noveck (2001); Papafragou & Musolino (2003); Guasti et al. (2005), among others). One approach explaining results contends have difficulties accessing alternative sentences involved in derivation inferences. This ‘Alternatives-based’ raises possibility children’s performance may improve if certain terms presented together same sentence, for example, a sentence contains both an existential quantifier and universal quantifier, “Every rocks”. Such ‘EverySome’ been associated with every rocks, well stronger none pigs rocks (see Chemla Spector (2011), We present two experiments explore might more readily from combination terms. Experiment 1 investigates interpretation only replicates previously established finding inference-based interpretations by compared adults. 2 explores which “some” is embedded under “every”, reveals access at similar rates. Moreover, appear differ regards possible their based on. discuss implications experimental our understanding acquisition proposals attempt capture differences between adults’ interpretive preferences.