On Presupposition Projection

Abstract

Yeom, Jae-Il. 2003. On Presupposition Projection. Korean Journal of English Language and Linguistics 3-1, 55-88. In this paper, I will review two main theories on presupposition projection and point out their problems, and suggest the directions of a better analysis. Satisfaction theory is based on the single idea that presuppositions must be satisfied in the local context for the interpretation of a sentence. Problems occur because the theory makes only a minimal requirement on the input context for interpretation. They include the problems of weak presuppositions, unmotivated local accommodation, and projection of satisfied presuppositions. Binding theory assumes that presuppositions are anaphoric elements which can be accommodated. I will show that the syntactic notion of binding is not motivated, and claim that presupposition projection is a matter of information. Finally, I suggest the directions for a better analysis.