On the Distributive and Non-Distributive Interpretation in Japanese

Kenji Yokota

College of Industrial Technology, Nihon University, Chiba, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/ojml.2014.44046                

Abstract

Through an analysis of two different types of floating numeral quantifier (FNQ) constructions in Japanese, the present paper investigates the distributive and non-distributive interpretation in Japanese. Discussion of the interpretative issues related to ambiguity and intonation has indicated that FNQs are potentially ambiguous, offering both distributive and non-distributive readings.

Keywords

Distributive, Non-Distributive, Floating Numeral Quantifier, Japanese

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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