Horn clauses and strict NPIs under negated matrix clauses

Abstract

The present paper makes four main contributions: First, it argues for a surface-scope oriented approach to phenomena that have been considered strong arguments against a surface scope of negation: the licensing of embedded strict Negative Polarity Items (NPIs) and embedded Negative Inversion (i.e. Horn clauses). Second, this surface-scope analysis is expressed within existing HPSG analyses of NPI licensing and Negative Inversion. Third, the strict/non-strict distinction of NPIs is reduced to universal vs. existential quantification over the licensing requirement within a semantic representation. Fourth, Negative Inversion is analyzed as a constructional NPI. The existence of constructional NPIs should not be surprising, but no such example has been previously discussed in HPSG to my knowledge.