Bob Hamilton (HAMILTN@vm.sc.edu)
Mon, 03 Feb 97 09:40:01 EST
Since I received no direct hits from my earlier query, and because I think this may be due to a lack of specificity on my part, could I possibly trouble the list with another query regarding the distributive/collective distinction in HPSG? What I had in mind was how distributive versus collective readings of coordinate arguments of predicates might be handled. The sort of sentences in view are as follows: 1. Sue drove John and Mary to the airport. (where Sue may have taken them together at the same time, i.e. the collective reading, or in two separate trips, i.e. the distributive reading) 2. The pastor married John and Mary. (where the collective reading is required in a normal context). 3. The director fired John and Mary in turn. (where the distributive reading is favored) I assume that one way the distributive/collective distinction could be captured is by saying that on the distributive interpretation each of the individual conjuncts is included as a member of the verb's psoa, whereas on a collective reading only the entire coordinate phrase mother is represented in the verb's psoa. Can someone suggest a better approach or point me to existing research that addresses these phenomena from an HPSG perspective? It might be best if you reply directly to me, and I can summarize for the list if there is interest. Thanks, Bob Hamilton hamilton@sc.edu
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