BibTeX
@MISC{Rooth_atheory,
author = {Mats Rooth},
title = {A Theory of Focus Interpretation },
year = {}
}
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Abstract
More or less final version. To appear in Natural Language Semantics. According to the alternative semantics for focus, the semantic reflex of intonational focus is a second semantic value, which in the case of a sentence is a set of propositions. We examine a range of semantic and pragmatic applications of the theory, and extract a unitary principle specifying how the focus semantic value interacts with semantic and pragmatic processes. A strong version of the theory has the effect of making lexical or construction-specific stipulation of a focus-related effect in association with focus constructions impossible. Furthermore, while focus has a uniform import, the sources of meaning differences in association with focus are various.
Keyphrases
focus interpretation semantic reflex alternative semantics focus-related effect uniform import pragmatic process focus semantic value natural language semantics final version strong version pragmatic application focus construction intonational focus unitary principle construction-specific stipulation second semantic value
