Difference between revisions of "Universe of discourse"

From Glottopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (utrecht)
 
(Edited the format and removed the block {{format}})
 
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
==Definition==
 
'''Universe of discourse''' is the set of entities we are talking about when using a [[sentence]]. Also called ''domain of discourse''.
 
'''Universe of discourse''' is the set of entities we are talking about when using a [[sentence]]. Also called ''domain of discourse''.
  
=== Example ===
+
== Example ==
 
+
In using (i)a the universe of discourse can be all human beings (and the sentence is most certainly not true), or it may be a restricted set of human beings (and the sentence may very well be true). In (i)b the universe of discourse has been explicitly restricted by the adjunct ''in this room''.
in using (i)a the universe of discourse can be all human beings (and the sentence is most certainly not true), or it may be a restricted set of human beings (and the sentence may very well be true). In (i)b the universe of discourse has been explicitly restricted by the adjunct ''in this room''.
 
  
 
  (i) a  everyone is happy
 
  (i) a  everyone is happy
 
     b  everyone in this room is happy
 
     b  everyone in this room is happy
  
=== Links ===
+
== Links ==
 
+
*[http://www2.let.uu.nl/UiL-OTS/Lexicon/zoek.pl?lemma=Universe+of+discourse&lemmacode=136 Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics]
[http://www2.let.uu.nl/UiL-OTS/Lexicon/zoek.pl?lemma=Universe+of+discourse&lemmacode=136 Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics]
 
 
 
=== References ===
 
  
 +
== References ==
 
* Gamut, L.T.F. 1991. ''Logic, language, and meaning,'' Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago.
 
* Gamut, L.T.F. 1991. ''Logic, language, and meaning,'' Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago.
  
Line 19: Line 17:
 
[[Category:Semantics]]
 
[[Category:Semantics]]
  
{{stub}}{{cats}}{{format}}
+
{{stub}}{{cats}}

Latest revision as of 16:51, 24 August 2014

Definition

Universe of discourse is the set of entities we are talking about when using a sentence. Also called domain of discourse.

Example

In using (i)a the universe of discourse can be all human beings (and the sentence is most certainly not true), or it may be a restricted set of human beings (and the sentence may very well be true). In (i)b the universe of discourse has been explicitly restricted by the adjunct in this room.

(i) a  everyone is happy
    b  everyone in this room is happy

Links

References

  • Gamut, L.T.F. 1991. Logic, language, and meaning, Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago.
STUB
CAT This article needs proper categorization. You can help Glottopedia by categorizing it
Please do not remove this block until the problem is fixed.