Single Idea 12610

[catalogued under 19. Language / C. Assigning Meanings / 4. Compositionality]

Full Idea

The phenomenon of understanding sentences one has never encountered before is decisive against theories of meaning which do not proceed compositionally.

Clarification

'Compositionality' is building up meanings a bit at a time

Gist of Idea

Encountering novel sentences shows conclusively that meaning must be compositional

Source

Christopher Peacocke (Truly Understood [2008], 4.3)

Book Reference

Peacocke,Christopher: 'Truly Understood' [OUP 2008], p.135


A Reaction

I agree entirely. It seems obvious, as soon as you begin to slowly construct a long and unusual sentence, and follow the mental processes of the listener.