Dynamic Interpretations and Interpretation Structures

Dynamic semantics has its roots in the research of anaphoric reference. It is well known that in general anaphoric relations are highly context sensitive and defeasible. However, most standard frameworks of dynamic semantics, such as Discourse Representation Theory (DRT) and Dynamic Predicate Logic, do not deal with problems of interpretation revision 1 (cf. [6]). Furthermore, these frameworks are strictly incremental in the sense that any old information is more entrenched than any new information. Recently, several proposals have been made to overcome these shortcomings of Dynamic Semantics. Asher tried in [1] to combine DRT with belief revision. However, Asher kept main features of DRT unchanged and only allowed limited revision of DRSs. At first, Asher reformulated DRSs as partial models and defined monotonic core logic of DRSs. Then, he completed this partial monotonic logic with a non-monotonic logic, where applications of the non-monotonic logic were strongly restricted. He called this method local revision and contrasted it to global revision in AGM model that is a standard framework for formal treatment of belief revision (cf. [3]). In this paper, I propose a flexible framework of dynamic semantics. I will show how to construct interpretations that can be revised. A Theory of Interpretation Structures (TIS) as proposed in this paper can be located not only in the tradition of dynamic semantics but also in the tradition of belief revision whose classical position is stated in [3]. TIS is a theory of global revision; one of its essential features lies in keeping revised information in the interpretation structure (IS ). This makes cancellation of revision easily performable. In TIS, revision is realized by restructuring IS . This paper demonstrates TIS as a powerful framework for dynamic interpretations.