A Comparison of Comparatives

We outline a format for the specification of the semantics of comparatives, using s-structure, and a procedure for deriving these specifications directly from c-structure. Crucial in the semantics is a relation 'exceed' taking two degree arguments. Construction types considered involve adjective comparison in English, Ga and Luganda, of which the latter two instantiate a strategy using a verb with a meaning like 'exceed' for expressing comparison, a strategy very widespread typologically. Whereas f-structures of comparatives are shown to be non-constant across languages, the s-structures are seen to be constant, even if derived from highly diverse c-structures.