| In this thesis we look at certain aspects of reference and focus in English. The aspect of reference we study is the phenomenon of specificity. We analyze specificity in an NP as a consequence of the way in which an NP is used: Existence is presupposed in the case of a specific NP. We dissociate specificity and reference, arguing that a specific NP need not be referential; it can be in scope. We argue that {dollar}pm{dollar}specificity in an NP can affect the acceptability of the sentence in which the NP occurs by affecting the discourse felicity of the sentence or by constraining possible interpretations. In the latter case, specificity has an effect on truth conditions.; Turning to focus, we argue that the choice of semantic focus in a sentence also affects the truth conditions for a sentence. We find that semantic focus bears a structured relationship to phonological focus: The stress feature percolates from the phonological focus to the semantic focus. We argue, however, that neither the constituents of semantic focus nor the intermediate constituents through which the stress feature percolates need be S-structure constituents, as would be predicted by a model of the grammar that assumes S-structure to be the level that mediates between PF (interpreted as sound) and LF (interpreted as meaning). We suggest that a speaker reanalyzes a sentence into a speaker's structure based on predication relations in the sentence. Function plays a role in the semantic incorporation of an expression in a speaker's predicate; a semantically incorporated argument or adjunct functions as a verb typifier.; The resulting constituents need not be represented at either D-structure or S-structure but behave as constituents with respect to semantic focus. They serve both as constituents of semantic focus and as constituents through which the stress feature percolates.; We apply our analysis of focus to a study of multiple-WH questions, arguing that a well-formed multiple interrogation must conform to functional requirements that are reflected in focus and intonation pattern. |
