LFR: Sentential Structure

Sentential Semantics and Syntax

Due: Monday September 21

Note: Tree branches, and tree branches only, may be drawn by hand.

1. (20 points = 5 points each)

For each underlined phrase below, state whether it is ambiguous or not, and if it is, explain the meanings of all the ambiguities as well as what types of ambiguity there are in the phrase. All these examples are from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

a. Š I took to the law, / And argued each case with my wife;
b. Š suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her.
c.

Boots and shoes under the sea

any shrimp could have told you that

Answers

a. Ambiguous with (at least) 3 meanings:

There is both lexical and structural ambiguity. Lexical, since "with" can mean "together with", "against", or "about." Structural since "with my wife" can either describe the arguing or the cases.

b. Unambiguous

c. Boots and shoes under the sea is ambiguous with 2 meanings: either both the boots and the shoes are under the sea, or just the shoes. This is structural ambiguity (and scope ambiguity), because "under the sea" can modify either "boots and shoes" or just "shoes."

any shrimp could have told you that is ambiguous with 2 meanings: either any crustacean could have told you that, or any small person (derogatory) could have told you that. This is lexically ambiguous, since "shrimp" can mean either a crustacean or a small person (usually derogatory).

2. (20 points)

In class, we discussed the possible meaning of "time" as referring to a physical object (for example the magazine). Draw the tree corresponding to this meaning of "time" of the sentence "Time flies like an arrow."

Answer

3. (20 points = 10 points each)

The sentence below is structurally ambiguous. Draw the two trees for it, and indicate which meaning corresponds to which tree.

The skunk danced under the tree with the eagle

Answer

The eagle is with/in the tree:

First skunk tree

The skunk and eagle danced together under the tree:

Second skunk tree

4. (20 points = 4 points each)

Give the scope of all the underlined words in the following passage from the Declaration of Independence.

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Answer

Word	Scope
human	events
political	bands
and (first one)	to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them
separate	station (to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them)
and (second one)	separate equal

5. (20 points = 5 points each)

Some of the sentences below contain a scope ambiguity. For each ambiguity, give all the different possible scope combinations. If the sentence does not have a scope ambiguity, explain why.

a. If you mow the lawn or take out the trash and sweep the driveway, I'll pay you $5.
b. Big bears and eagles can be found in Yellowstone Park.
c. Both black beans and rice are good for you.
d. The speaker bowed and waved to the audience.

Answers

a.
Reading 1:
or: mow the lawn, take out the trash and sweep the driveway
and: take out the trash, sweep the driveway

Reading 2:
or: mow the lawn, take out the trash
and: mow the lawn or take out the trash, sweep the driveway

b.
Reading 1:
big: bears
and: big bears and eagles

Reading 2:
big: bears and eagles
and: bears, eagles

c. No scope ambiguity. "Both" marks the start of the conjunct, so the scope of and can only be "black beans, rice".

d.
Reading 1:
and: bowed, waved
to the audience: bowed and waved

Reading 2:
and: bowed, waved to the audience
to the audience: waved

Extra credit (5 points, no partial credit)

Draw the tree for the Bambara sentence below. What rule(s) does Bambara have that is/are different from English?

n' ye sofa ye

I past-AUX soldier see

'I saw the soldier'

Answer:

The rule is VP -> NP V.

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