Measurement Scales in Natural Language. Issue 1 (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Solt, Stephanie
• Is Part Of: Language and linguistics compass. Volume 9:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 14
• Page End: 32
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Language and languages -- Periodicals; Linguistics -- Periodicals; Applied linguistics -- Periodicals; Linguistique -- Périodiques; Linguistique appliquée -- Périodiques; Langage et langues -- Périodiques; 400
• DOI: 10.1111/lnc3.12101
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1749-818X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The meaning of a wide variety of natural language expressions can be stated in terms of degrees on scales. This paper provides an overview of the contribution of scales to linguistic meaning. I discuss the ontology of scales, survey the role of scalarity within and across languages, and summarize recent research into the linguistically relevant features of scales, organizing these findings into a preliminary framework for a comprehensive model of scale structure. The relation between the scales underlying the interpretation of gradable expressions and those involved in the calculation of scalar implicatures – so‐called Horn scales – is also briefly discussed.</p> </abstract>