A Semantic Logic for Noun Interpretation for Automatic Text Processing

The main object of this study is to offer a clue for semantic interpretation of nouns to facilitate automatic text processes. Unlike thematic roles lexically registered on verbs, the criterions needed to interpret nouns are not definable by distinctive features. Since nouns in same form can bear both generic and existential meaning, its interpretation rather depends upon logical reasoning. This paper starts with the assumption that nouns can bear generic meaning by themselves thanks to its double functions: Feature Set and Sum of individual objects. This means that bare singular or bare plural nouns are principle carriers of generic meaning if there is no hindering constraint. The determiners like articles, in this sense, play a role of semi-conductive barriers that may block the percolation of generic meaning on nouns to the upper projections. The relevant attributes that activate the barrier hood are [Predicate ± permanent], [Article ±strong Numb, ±limited Numb], [Time ±confined], [Space ±confined]. The combination of bare nouns with these features adjoined at syntax decides whether a noun properly bears generic meaning or not.