Abstract In this paper, we discuss two types of dimensional adjectives in Nuosu Yi (Tibeto-Burman), which refer to as Positive (PAs) and Equative Adjectives (EAs). We show that PAs EAs are subject different distributions gradation structures: only admissible structures can be associated with measure phrases, include differential comparatives (e.g., Ayi is 2 cm taller than Aguo.) degree question...

A compositional analysis of a range of readings of comparison constructions, as well as the positive form is proposed, which, unlike previous accounts, is compatible with multidimensional adjectives and has the power to explain differences between them and nouns. To this end, adjectives are represented as properties of dimensional quantifiers, namely of sets of gradable properties; e.g., health...

Given the two sentences “this fake cat has a fluffy tail” and “this tabby cat has a fluffy tail”, only the second allows one to conclude that “there exists a cat that has a fluffy tail”. As is obvious to a native English speaker, the adjective (A) “fake” somehow modifies the noun (N) “cat” such that we conclude that it no longer belongs to the set of N (cats) by virtue of being A (fake). Lingui...

The semantics of gradable adjectives, in particular their order with respect to one another on a given scale, are not sufficiently represented in lexical resources such as wordnets. Thus, it is not clear whether superb expresses the quality of “goodness” equally, more, or less strongly than excellent or great. Sheinman and Tokunaga (2009) determine the relative gradation of English adjectives b...

This paper provides a unified solution to two puzzles involving vagueness and scalar adjectives of the absolute lexical class (ex. bald, empty, straight etc.). The first puzzle concerns the proper analysis of the relationship between contextual effects associated with absolute adjectives and those associated with relative adjectives like tall, long or expensive. The dominant view in philosophy ...

This paper provides a unified solution to two puzzles involving vagueness and scalar adjectives of the absolute lexical class (ex. bald, empty, straight etc.). The first puzzle concerns the proper analysis of the relationship between contextual effects associated with absolute adjectives and those associated with relative adjectives like tall, long or expensive. The dominant view in philosophy ...

Why do children learn nouns such as cup faster than dimensional adjectives such as big? Most explanations of this phenomenon rely on prior knowledge of the noun-adjective distinction or on the logical priority of nouns as the arguments of predicates. In this paper we examine an alternative account, one which relies instead on properties of the semantic categories to be learned and of the word l...

This paper studies a distinction that was proposed in previous works between total and partial adjectives. In pairs of adjectives such as safe-dangerous, clean-dirty and healthy-sick, the first (“total”) adjective describes lack of danger, dirt, malady etc., while the second (“partial”) adjective describes the existence of such properties. It is shown that the semantics of adjective phrases wit...