It is raining (somewhere)

Author: Recanati, F.

Source: Linguistics and Philosophy, Volume 30, Number 1, February 2007 , pp. 123-146(24)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

The received view about meteorological predicates like `rain' is that they carry an argument slot for a location which can be filled explicitly or implicitly. The view assumes that `rain', in the absence of an explicit location, demands that the context provide a specific location. In an earlier article in this journal, I provided a counter-example, viz. a context in which `it is raining' receives a location-indefinite interpretation. On the basis of that example, I argued that when there is tacit references to a location, it takes place for pragmatic reasons and casts no light on the semantics of meteorological predicates. Since then, several authors have reanalysed the counter-example, so as to make it compatible with the standard view. I discuss those attempts and argue that my account is superior.

Keywords: Semantics/pragmatics interface; Free enrichment; Argument roles; Meteorological predicates; Events; Locations; Unarticulated constituents

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10988-006-9007-1

Affiliations: 1: Email: recanati@ehess.fr

Publication date: 2007-02-01