Re: Branching typologies [was: Re: "easiest" languages, SE Asian word-order typologies]

In a message dated 9/27/01 3:18:22 PM, laokou@MSN.COM writes:

<< > (2) John met the man in the hall that had been handing out fliers

>     about the upcoming game.

It's ambiguous in English what took place in the hall. If the meeting of the

man happened in the hall, it's this: >>

    I would argue that this sentence is not ambiguous in English--that, in
fact, it can only be read as John met the man who had been in the
hall--whether or not they were still in the hall is not mentioned.  This is
because of where the relative clause kicks in.  If John were to have met him
in the hall, the sentence would have to be:

    John met the man who had been handing out fliers in the hall.

However, THIS phrase is ambiguous, in that John could have met him in the
hall or the man could have been handing out fliers in the hall.  However, in
the first sentence, I don't think it can be read as "John met the man in the
hall"--"This man had been handing out fliers".  It doesn't seem correct...

-David

Replies