Computing Genitive Superlatives

Superlative expressions (such as “the tallest boy”) single out entities by comparing them to others with respect to a set of properties. Therefore, a proper semantics for a superlative expression requires a correct computation of the comparison set. In most of the cases, this can be done in a compositional fashion (leaving contextual influences aside). When superlative adjectives occur in prenominal genitive constructions (such as “his most expensive car”, this isn’t so straightforward anymore. Three solutions are proposed, that all change the underlying syntactic structure of the genitive construction in order to arrive at a correct comparison set. The solution where ordinary nouns are analysed “relationally” is preferred, because it requires the least number of modifications of the grammar. Under certain conditions, superlatives also exhibit so-called comparative readings (as opposed to absolute readings). With the current machinery it is however impossible to account for such readings in a compositional way.