Re: A question of semantics

 --- John Cowan wrote:
> Estel Telcontar scripsit:
>
> > The problem is, I can't say "I saw Jenny", because it wasn't
> actually
> > her.
>
> Lojban clearly distinguishes these cases:  by default, such
> references are
> +specific (meaning that they refer to whatever you have in mind, not
> to
> what is objectively so).
Can you explain this more?
How would "I saw Janny [and it actually was her]" look,
and how would " I "saw" Jenny [but it was actually someone else]" look?

And how would "I "saw" Jenny, [but I'm still not sure whether or not it
really was her]" look?

> > If I say "I saw someone who looked like Jenny", that makes it sound
> > like I knew all along that it wasn't Jenny, but that I saw someone
> and
> > observed that they bore a resemblance to Jenny.
>
> Wrap your head about "Elaine wants to marry a Norwegian".  Does that
> mean
> she wants to marry someone in particular, who is specified as being a
> Norwegian, or merely that when she marries, she desires that it be
> with
> some Norwegian or other?
I get the ambiguity, but it puzzles me less.

Estel

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