Records and Record Types in Semantic Theory

Abstract

This paper explores possibilities for formulating linguistic semantics in terms of records and record types of the kind used in recent developments of Martin-Lof type theory. We will suggest that this gives us tools to develop a single theory which includes aspects of Montague semantics, Discourse Representation Theory, situation semantics and Head-Driven Phrase Structure Grammar. We will also argue that formulating these theories in terms of record types may provide us not only with a unified approach but also with certain improvements over the individual theories.