A semantic model for vague quantifiers combining fuzzy theory and supervaluation theory

Abstract

This paper introduces a semantic model for vague quantifiers (VQs) combining Fuzzy Theory (FT) and Supervaluation Theory (ST), which are the two main theories on vagueness, a common source of uncertainty in natural language. After comparing FT and ST, I will develop the desired model and a numerical method for evaluating truth values of vague quantified statements, called the Modified Glöckner's Method, that combines the merits and overcomes the demerits of the two theories. I will also show how the model can be applied to evaluate truth values of complex quantified statements with iterated VQs. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.