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20. Determination and quantification

  • Nigel Vincent
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Abstract

In this chapter we consider the structure of nominal expressions (NEs) in Romance. We examine in turn the sub-systems of articles, quantifiers, possessives and demonstratives and investigate the way they combine and interact. The perspective is for the most part synchronic and focuses on the modern languages with occasional reference being made to earlier stages and to Latin. The chapter concludes with a brief discussion of the mechanisms of change involved in producing the modern systems. Variations between the individual languages in respect of stress, cooccurrence, linear order, and configurationality are discussed and different theoretical approaches to modelling this variation are reviewed.

Abstract

In this chapter we consider the structure of nominal expressions (NEs) in Romance. We examine in turn the sub-systems of articles, quantifiers, possessives and demonstratives and investigate the way they combine and interact. The perspective is for the most part synchronic and focuses on the modern languages with occasional reference being made to earlier stages and to Latin. The chapter concludes with a brief discussion of the mechanisms of change involved in producing the modern systems. Variations between the individual languages in respect of stress, cooccurrence, linear order, and configurationality are discussed and different theoretical approaches to modelling this variation are reviewed.

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