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The semantic core of determiners

Evidence from Sḵwxwú7mesh

Abstract

In this article, I argue that definiteness is not found in all languages, based on the different behaviour of determiners in English and Sḵwxwú7mesh (Salish). However, I also argue that, despite overt differences between the determiner systems of English and Sḵwxwú7mesh, determiners in both languages share one property in common: domain restriction. Further, I argue that the behaviour of English the can be explained in terms of its uniqueness requirement and domain restriction. Definiteness is thus a result of the interaction of domain restriction and uniqueness and is not itself a feature of any grammar. I also argue that the determiners in Sḵwxwú7mesh lack a uniqueness requirement, and this is the sole reason that they behave differently from English the.

Abstract

In this article, I argue that definiteness is not found in all languages, based on the different behaviour of determiners in English and Sḵwxwú7mesh (Salish). However, I also argue that, despite overt differences between the determiner systems of English and Sḵwxwú7mesh, determiners in both languages share one property in common: domain restriction. Further, I argue that the behaviour of English the can be explained in terms of its uniqueness requirement and domain restriction. Definiteness is thus a result of the interaction of domain restriction and uniqueness and is not itself a feature of any grammar. I also argue that the determiners in Sḵwxwú7mesh lack a uniqueness requirement, and this is the sole reason that they behave differently from English the.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgments vii
  4. Determiners 1
  5. Part I. The features of determiners
  6. What’s in a determiner and how did it get there? 25
  7. The proper D connection 67
  8. Argumenthood, pronouns, and nominal feature geometry 97
  9. Part II. The function of determiners
  10. From local blocking to Cyclic Agree 123
  11. Kinds of predicates and reference to kinds in Hebrew 159
  12. Part III. Definiteness and beyond
  13. The semantic core of determiners 177
  14. On the presence versus absence of determiners in Malagasy 215
  15. Index 243
Determiners
This chapter is in the book Determiners
https://doi.org/10.1075/la.147.06gil

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgments vii
  4. Determiners 1
  5. Part I. The features of determiners
  6. What’s in a determiner and how did it get there? 25
  7. The proper D connection 67
  8. Argumenthood, pronouns, and nominal feature geometry 97
  9. Part II. The function of determiners
  10. From local blocking to Cyclic Agree 123
  11. Kinds of predicates and reference to kinds in Hebrew 159
  12. Part III. Definiteness and beyond
  13. The semantic core of determiners 177
  14. On the presence versus absence of determiners in Malagasy 215
  15. Index 243
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