Presupposition and partiality: Back to the future

Abstract

. In this paper it is shown how a partial semantics for presuppositions can be given which is empirically more satisfactory than its predecessors, and how this semantics can be integrated with a technically sound, compositional grammar in the Montagovian fashion. Additionally, it is argued that the classical objection to partial accounts of presupposition, namely that they lack `flexibility', is based on a misconception. Partial logics can give rise to flexible predictions without postulating any ad hoc ambiguities. Finally, it is shown how the partial foundation can be combined with a dynamic system of common ground maintenance to account for accommodation. Keywords: presupposition projection, partial logic, type theory, Montague Grammar, flexibility, accommodation 1. Introduction The use of partiality for the treatment of presupposition predates all other approaches: when Frege (1892) introduced the notion of presupposition he tied it explicitly to the possibility of sentences lack...

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