Semantics Circle: Word learning tasks as a window into the Triggering Problem for presuppositions

Abstract

We show that native speakers spontaneously separate the complex meaning of a new word into a presuppositional component and an assertive component. These results argue for the existence of a productive triggering algorithm for presuppositions, one that is not based on alternative lexical items nor on contextual saliency. On a more methodological aspect, the proposed learning paradigm can be used to test further theories concerned with the interaction of lexical properties and conceptual biases.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8440941017