Human collective nouns and plural definite noun phrases
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Michelle Lecolle
Abstract
This chapter explores nominal forms with a plural meaning that denote groups of humans in French: human collective nouns (HCNs) and plural definite noun phrases (NP with [les ‘the’ + Nplural]). I combine semantic-referential and argumentative perspectives in order to assess the role of plural reference in these two domains. After presenting my conception of reference and referent and the specificities of plural reference, I compare the two types of expressions from a semantic-referential point of view, based on expressions with the same extension: the HCNs le peuple (français) ‘the (French) people,’ la population (française) ‘the (French) population,’ l’opinion publique (française) ‘(French) public opinion,’ and the plural definite NPs les Français ‘the French’ and les citoyens (français) ‘(French) citizens.’
Abstract
This chapter explores nominal forms with a plural meaning that denote groups of humans in French: human collective nouns (HCNs) and plural definite noun phrases (NP with [les ‘the’ + Nplural]). I combine semantic-referential and argumentative perspectives in order to assess the role of plural reference in these two domains. After presenting my conception of reference and referent and the specificities of plural reference, I compare the two types of expressions from a semantic-referential point of view, based on expressions with the same extension: the HCNs le peuple (français) ‘the (French) people,’ la population (française) ‘the (French) population,’ l’opinion publique (française) ‘(French) public opinion,’ and the plural definite NPs les Français ‘the French’ and les citoyens (français) ‘(French) citizens.’
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Speakers, addressees and the referential process 1
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Part I. New insights into referential conventions
- Anaphoric potential of bare nominals, incorporated objects and weak definites in German 27
- Is ambient it truly non-referential? 53
- Lions, flowers and the Romans 71
- Genre and reference chains 89
- A linear approach of chain composition 107
- When referents are seen and heard 127
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Part II. From conventions to pragmatics
- Human collective nouns and plural definite noun phrases 153
- Electric vehicles in the press 171
- Referring to the self and the addressee overtly 185
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Part III. From conventions to pragmatics
- Leaving this unsaid 213
- Referential conventions as compromise 233
- Referring to an avenue as an ‘artery’ ( artère ) in French 249
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Part IV. From conventions to pragmatics
- Who creates reference? 269
- “ peut-être on peut improviser un peu ” 287
- Temporal reference in oral narratives produced by French learners of English as a second language 305
- The choice of referring expressions in adult-child dialogues 323
- Index 347
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Speakers, addressees and the referential process 1
-
Part I. New insights into referential conventions
- Anaphoric potential of bare nominals, incorporated objects and weak definites in German 27
- Is ambient it truly non-referential? 53
- Lions, flowers and the Romans 71
- Genre and reference chains 89
- A linear approach of chain composition 107
- When referents are seen and heard 127
-
Part II. From conventions to pragmatics
- Human collective nouns and plural definite noun phrases 153
- Electric vehicles in the press 171
- Referring to the self and the addressee overtly 185
-
Part III. From conventions to pragmatics
- Leaving this unsaid 213
- Referential conventions as compromise 233
- Referring to an avenue as an ‘artery’ ( artère ) in French 249
-
Part IV. From conventions to pragmatics
- Who creates reference? 269
- “ peut-être on peut improviser un peu ” 287
- Temporal reference in oral narratives produced by French learners of English as a second language 305
- The choice of referring expressions in adult-child dialogues 323
- Index 347
