Degree structure as trope structure: a trope-based analysis of positive and comparative adjectives

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• 作者：Friederike Moltmann
• 关键词：Comparatives ; Adjectives ; Degrees ; Tropes ; Nominalizations
• 刊名：Linguistics and Philosophy
• 出版年：2009
• 出版时间：February, 2009
• 年：2009
• 卷：32
• 期：1
• 页码：51-94
• 全文大小：347.4 KB

文摘

This paper explores a novel analysis of adjectives in the comparative and the positive based on the notion of a trope, rather than the notion of a degree. Tropes are particularized properties, concrete manifestations of properties in individuals. The point of departure is that a sentence like R16;John is happier than MaryR17; is intuitively equivalent to R16;JohnR17;s happiness exceeds MaryR17;s happinessR17;, a sentence that expresses a simple comparison between two tropes, JohnR17;s happiness and MaryR17;s happiness. The analysis received particular support from various parallels between adjectival constructions and corresponding adjective nominalizations which make reference to tropes.