The scope of indefinites; a multimodal analysis
In this paper we evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of a
choice function analysis of indefinites. We show that a
choice function account encounters a severe problem
regarding the procedure of unselective binding. The origin
of this problem is that the semantic restriction is
separated from the place of existential closure. We show
that this problem can be overcome once we adopt a
multimodal analysis of choice functions. The present
account can generate at least the right set of
interpretations. Nevertheless it can be shown that choice
functions are superfluous under a multimodal analysis. An
analysis that does away with choice functions can explain
the same observations as a choice function account.
Fabien R. Reniers