Assigning semantic properties and relations to expressions in language L in accordance with the principle of compositionality (i.e. the semantics of complex expressions is determined by the syntax and semantics of its constituents) can solve the 'projection problem' for L. H. claims that within a Searlean speech act theory, such properties and relations cannot be assigned below the level of the phrase, and assigning such properties and relations will not satisfy the compositionality constraint unless one invokes ad hoc and unrevealing complications of the system.