Sentences, utterances, propositions

Chris Potts, Ling 130a: Introduction to Linguistic Meaning, Winter 2011 Jan 11

Overview

When thinking about meanings, its essential to make a three-way distinction between sentences (linguistic objects), propositions (meanings), and utterances (real-world events).

Conventions
Sentences are given as trees or as labeled bracketings. Propositions are underlined. Utterances are inside double-quotes.

Contrasts
Utterances are located in spacetime and have agents (speakers). Neither sentences nor propositions are located in spacetime, nor do they have agents. They are abstract objects. Sentences are inherently linguistic. Utterances are events that involve linguistic objects (sentences), but they are not themselves linguistic. Propositions are not linguistic (but rather very easily specied with language). Summary located in spacetime? no no yes linguistic? yes no no

sentences propositions utterances

4
(1)

Example
I am happy (uttered by Chris Potts) is an utterance of the sentence NP I V am (equivalently, [S I am happy]) and expresses the proposition Chris Potts is happy. S VP AP happy

Ling 130a, Stanford (Potts)

Sentences, utterances, propositions

5
(2)

Can we eliminate any of these concepts? No.

A single utterance can correspond to more than one proposition: It is cold in here It is cold in here. Someone should close the window

(3)

A single utterance can correspond to more than one sentence: [S A hippo arrived] A hippo arrived; it had much luggage. [S It had much luggage]

(4)

A single sentence can be used in multiple utterances: S NP most pencils V are VP AP yellow Most pencils are yellow. (spoken on January 17, 1956) Most pencils are yellow. (spoken on January 11, 2010)

(5)

A single sentence can convey more than one proposition: S NP Only Ed VP succeeded Ed succeeded No one who is not Ed succeeded

(6)

A single proposition can be expressed by more than one sentence: [S Ed said [S that he is ill]] Ed said he is ill [S Ed said [S he is ill]]

(7)

A single proposition can be expressed by more than one utterance: I am confused. (spoken by George) George is confused George is confused. (spoken by a non-George)

Speakers meaning The proposition or propositions that a speaker intends to convey with his or her use of a particular sentence in a particular utterance. 2