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Semantics: Difference between revisions
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== Worlds == | == Worlds == | ||
Another important concept for any semantic theory to cover is '''modality''': the treatment of words such as {{Derani||she}}, {{Derani||daı}}, {{Derani||ao}}, and {{Derani||dı}}. We use these words to make claims not about the actual state of the world, but about possibilities, obligations, or beliefs. The tried and true | Another important concept for any semantic theory to cover is '''modality''': the treatment of words such as {{Derani||she}}, {{Derani||daı}}, {{Derani||ao}}, and {{Derani||dı}}. We use these words to make claims not about the actual state of the world, but about possibilities, obligations, or beliefs. The tried and true system for reasoning about modality, named after philosopher Saul Kripke, is known as '''Kripke semantics'''. | ||
In Kripke semantics, we imagine that there are a multitude of '''worlds''': one world, <math>\text{w}</math>, represents the real world, while others represent alternate timelines. Then, every verb is extended to take a world argument: for example, <math>\exists e.\ \text{saqsu}_\text{w}(\text{j}\mathrm{\acute{i}})(e)</math> computes whether there is an event of the speaker whispering ''in the real world'', with the world variable being written in a subscript for readability. | In Kripke semantics, we imagine that there are a multitude of '''worlds''': one world, <math>\text{w}</math>, represents the real world, while others represent alternate timelines. Then, every verb is extended to take a world argument: for example, <math>\exists e.\ \text{saqsu}_\text{w}(\text{j}\mathrm{\acute{i}})(e)</math> computes whether there is an event of the speaker whispering ''in the real world'', with the world variable being written in a subscript for readability. | ||