This project investigates the role of visual alternatives in pragmatic reasoning and their interaction with non-visual, verbal alternatives in the derivation of presuppositional and conversational implicatures as well as presuppositions. Using experimental methods, it aims to inform multi-modal models of pragmatic strengthening, theories of presupposition triggering, and the comparison of visual paradigms in pragmatics experiments using visual stimuli.
Project Members
Nadine Bade
Principal Investigator
University of Potsdam, Germany
Project Description
The project investigates the role of visual alternatives in pragmatic reasoning. Specifically, it looks at the interaction of visual with non-visual (verbal) alternatives in the derivation of three inference types – presuppositional and conversational implicatures as well as presuppositions – using experimental methods. A first theoretical goal of the project is to inform and build multi-modal models of how pragmatic strengthening proceeds incorporating the role of visual material. A second theoretical goal is to inform theories of presupposition triggering by investigating the role of visual salience in triggering processes. An overarching methodological goal is to compare different visual paradigms in their impact on experimental investigations in pragmatics using visual stimuli.
Selected Publications and Data
Publications
Bade, N., P. Schlenker & E. Chemla. (2024). Word learning tasks as a window into the triggering problem for presuppositions. Natural Language Semantics 32, 473-503. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11050-024-09224-5.
Bade, N., W. Chung, L. Picat, R. Dudley & S. Mascarenhas. (to appear). Shared mechanisms in pragmatic enrichment with contextual and lexical alternatives. Journal of Memory and Language.
Bade, N. New data on the ‘triggering problem’ for presuppositions. Proceedings of SALT 34.
Conference contributions
Bade, N. 2024. New data on the triggering problem for presuppositions. Semantics and Linguistic Theory (SALT), University of Rochester, Rochester, New York.
Invited talks and guest lecturers
2024
Bade, Nadine. “Finding the gap or filling it? – Experimental measures of truth value gaps.” Gaps and Imprecision in Natural Language Semantics, Leibniz-ZAS Berlin.
Bade, Nadine. “Shared mechanisms between local and global implicatures – evidence from priming.” Semantics Colloquium, University of Frankfurt.
Bade, Nadine, Vera Hohaus & Ryan Walter Smith. “Linguistic Illusions Revisited: The Role of Maximal Informativity.” Semantics Colloquium, University of Frankfurt.
2023
Bade, Nadine, Philippe Schlenker & Emmanuel Chemla. “Word learning tasks as a window into the ‘triggering problem’ for presuppositions.” Linguistics Colloquium, University of Stuttgart.
Bade, Nadine, Philippe Schlenker & Emmanuel Chemla. “Word learning tasks as a window into the ‘triggering problem’ for presuppositions.” Semantics Circle, Leibniz-ZAS Berlin.
Outreach
Bade, Nadine, presentation of research done at the university to the general public, Potsdamer Tag der Wissenschaften (Potsdam day of science), University of Potsdam.