A New Look at the Semantics and Pragmatics of Numerically Quantified Noun Phrases

This paper presents some arguments against a unilateral account of numerically quantified noun phrases and for a bilateral account of such expressions. It is proposed that where numerically quantified noun phrases give rise to at least readings, this is the result of one of two forms of pragmatic reasoning. To that end, the paper develops an independently motivated account of specificity and existential closure involving diagonalisation.