Definite, indefinite, and kind interpretations from a cross-linguistic perspective

Maleczki, Márta (2024) Definite, indefinite, and kind interpretations from a cross-linguistic perspective. ACTA LINGUISTICA ACADEMICA, 71 (1-2). pp. 117-136. ISSN 2559-8201

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Abstract

This paper argues that the indefinite, definite, and kind interpretations belonging to nouns and noun phrases are independent universal semantic features realized by different linguistic means across and within languages. The investigations presented here take the viewpoint of the speaker: first the semantic content of the three features is characterized, then the linguistic expressions these interpretations belong to and arise from are examined. Cross-linguistic data support the conclusions that none of these features is derived from the other(s), their primary source is the intrasentential context, and they express “instructions” to the hearer to find more or less identifiable or more or less representative referents that pertain to the denotation of the noun (phrase).

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