2. Definiteness and indefiniteness
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Irene Heim
Abstract
Our subject matter are the meanings of the definite and indefinite articles, or of the abstract features that these morphemes realize. The main goal of the article is to elucidate and test the best known approach to the definite-indefinite contrast in contemporary formal semantics: a Fregean semantics for definites and an existential (Russellian) semantics of indefinites. This approach posits differences between definites and indefinites along three dimensions: semantic type, uniqueness, and presuppositionality. We review some successful predictions that this familiar picture makes in combination with plausible accounts of various independent semantic and pragmatic mechanisms, such as grammatical number, covert domain restriction, scalar implicature, genericity operators, binding of situation variables, and charitable communication. We will also encounter some reasons to entertain departures from the standard semantics, for example, reasons to loosen the connection of presuppositionality with definiteness, and reasons to distinguish indefinites from the existential quantification that accompanies them.
Abstract
Our subject matter are the meanings of the definite and indefinite articles, or of the abstract features that these morphemes realize. The main goal of the article is to elucidate and test the best known approach to the definite-indefinite contrast in contemporary formal semantics: a Fregean semantics for definites and an existential (Russellian) semantics of indefinites. This approach posits differences between definites and indefinites along three dimensions: semantic type, uniqueness, and presuppositionality. We review some successful predictions that this familiar picture makes in combination with plausible accounts of various independent semantic and pragmatic mechanisms, such as grammatical number, covert domain restriction, scalar implicature, genericity operators, binding of situation variables, and charitable communication. We will also encounter some reasons to entertain departures from the standard semantics, for example, reasons to loosen the connection of presuppositionality with definiteness, and reasons to distinguish indefinites from the existential quantification that accompanies them.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- 1. Pronouns 1
- 2. Definiteness and indefiniteness 33
- 3. Specificity 70
- 4. Quantifiers 112
- 5. Bare noun phrases 149
- 6. Possessives and relational nouns 177
- 7. Mass nouns and plurals 204
- 8. Genericity 232
- 9. Aspectual class and Aktionsart 274
- 10. Perfect and progressive 313
- 11. Verbal mood 369
- 12. Deverbal nominalization 407
- 13. Tense 436
- 14. Modality 463
- 15. Conditionals 503
- 16. Propositional attitudes 532
- 17. Indexicality and De Se reports 562
- Index 619
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- 1. Pronouns 1
- 2. Definiteness and indefiniteness 33
- 3. Specificity 70
- 4. Quantifiers 112
- 5. Bare noun phrases 149
- 6. Possessives and relational nouns 177
- 7. Mass nouns and plurals 204
- 8. Genericity 232
- 9. Aspectual class and Aktionsart 274
- 10. Perfect and progressive 313
- 11. Verbal mood 369
- 12. Deverbal nominalization 407
- 13. Tense 436
- 14. Modality 463
- 15. Conditionals 503
- 16. Propositional attitudes 532
- 17. Indexicality and De Se reports 562
- Index 619
