Cross-linguistic variation in semantics: individuation and nominal expressions

• Grant number: 07/00397-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2007
• End date: June 30, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Linguistics, Literature and Arts - Linguistics - Linguistic Theory and Analysis
• Principal Investigator: Ana Lucia de Paula Muller
• Grantee: Ana Lucia de Paula Muller
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project aims at investigating the relation between the denotation of common nouns and the expression of individuation and number in natural languages. In particular, it aims at investigating these phenomena in Brazilian Portuguese and Karitiana and comparing its results to what the literature claims about other languages. The research will try to answer questions related to whether or not one can claim that common nouns have the same denotation across languages; and whether number performs the same operations in all natural languages. The research focuses on semantic variation within the framework of formal linguistics. Its methodology includes field work, use of existing corpora, introspection and theoretical work. (AU)