Focus in complex noun phrases
In this paper I investigate the semantics of association with focus in complex noun phrases in
the framework of Alternative Semantics (Rooth 1985, 1992). For the first time, I formulate the
rules for deriving the alterantive meanings (p-sets) of complex nouns and their restrictive
modifiers such as adjectives and relative clauses. They form sets of sets of indivuals (i.e.
they are of type < < e,t >, t >). The alternative semantic function of determiners
is to transform these sets into sets of individuals, i.e. they are of type < < < e,t
>, t > , < e,t > >. However, this type cannot be derived from the type of their
ordinary meaning, namely < < e,t >, e > or < < e,t >, < < e,t
>, t > >. This mismatch requires some accommodation of the general architecture of
alternative semantics, which is the topic of the final section.
Klaus von Heusinger