Will You Share Your Semantic Intuitions?
This entry was posted on 12/17/2007 6:56 AM and is filed under Language and Communication.
I'm working on the semantics of so called 'empty names' (names without a referent). I'd like to know your semantic intuitions about the following:
(1) Santa Claus brings presents to children.
(2) Santa Claus is fat.
(3) Santa Claus is skinny.
(4) Mickey Mouse is a mouse.
(5) Mickey Mouse is a donkey.
(6) Santa Claus doesn't exist.
(7) Shmanta Shmaus doesn't exist.
(8) Xuphy Kishtraa doesn't exist.
(9) zxavyw uyiy doesn't exist.
(10) sdfsdfsdf doesn't exist.
(11) #^*g~)# doesn't exist.
For each of (1)-(11), is it true (T), false (F), or it has no truth value (NTV)? If you feel strongly that you don't know (DK), you may give that as an answer, but I would strongly prefer that you make your best guess. If you would share your intuitions in the comments, I would greatly appreciate it. Please keep your intuitions as "naive" as you can; at the very least, don't look at other people's answers and think as little as possible before answering.
Update (1/14/08): Thanks a lot to all those who answered my question or posted comments. These data are extremely helpful. They will inform a paper that I'm working on. (Still, if you haven't posted yet, feel free to add your own intuitions or comments at any time.)
