Subtype readings in Hindi numerical reduplication

Abstract

Given appropriate context, numerical reduplication in Hindi leads to subtype readings (SRs), where the distribution of the share happens over subtypes of itself. We propose that the use of reduplication in such cases presupposes a partition of the noun set based on a salient property (such as type, or color). This analysis also accounts for non-subtype implicit key cases, such as distribution over implicit individuals or locations. We discuss how SRs reveal the importance of noun set structure (in context) to building distributive meaning, and plural meaning more broadly.