A three-way distinction in definiteness: sortal, individual, and functional concepts in Réyoné

IF 1.3 2区文学 0 LANGUAGE & LINGUISTICS

Linguistics Pub Date : 2024-07-04 DOI:10.1515/ling-2021-0218

Ulrike Albers

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Abstract

Abstract This article offers a case study of a definiteness split in a language in which three different types of nominal expressions are available for definite descriptions. The article contributes ample empirical data and comprises a close investigation of the patterns found in Reunion Creole (Réyoné), the language under study. Réyoné displays one kind of contrast also found in other languages which is frequently analyzed in terms of semantic versus pragmatic definiteness (following Löbner) or uniqueness versus familiarity (following Schwarz). What sets Réyoné apart from other languages though, is that it features a determiner that is dedicated to functional concepts. The language thereby distinguishes individual from functional concepts: the former type (the sun; the News) is exclusively expressed by bare noun phrases, while functional concepts – definite descriptions with functional head nouns (prefect of y; head of y), including a subtype of bridging reference, as well as compositionally created functional relations such as superlatives – are realized by lo-marked noun phrases. These facts offer strong support for Löbner’s theory. The article also discusses demonstrative descriptions, which have already been reported to play a role in certain definiteness splits, and which are obligatory with sortal concepts in Réyoné. It is argued that demonstratives are pragmatic definites.

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定义的三重区分：雷约内语中的分类、个体和功能概念

摘要本文对一种语言中的定语分裂进行了个案研究，在这种语言中，有三种不同类型的名词性表达方式可用于定语描述。文章提供了大量的实证数据，并对所研究的留尼汪克里奥尔语（Réyoné）中的模式进行了细致的调查。雷约内语显示出一种在其他语言中也能发现的对比，这种对比经常被分析为语义与语用的确定性对比（效仿 Löbner）或独特性与熟悉性的对比（效仿 Schwarz）。雷约内语与其他语言的不同之处在于，它的定语专门用于功能概念。因此，雷约内语将个体概念和功能概念区分开来：前者（太阳；新闻）完全由裸名词短语表达，而功能概念--带有功能头名词的定语描述（y 的首数；y 的首数），包括桥接参照的子类型，以及通过构词法产生的功能关系（如叠词）--则通过带 lo 标记的名词短语来实现。这些事实为 Löbner 的理论提供了强有力的支持。文章还讨论了示范性描述，据报道，示范性描述在某些定义分裂中起作用，而且在雷约内语中与排序概念一起使用是强制性的。文章认为，指示词是语用定义。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Linguistics Multiple-

CiteScore

2.30

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Linguistics publishes articles in the traditional subdisciplines of linguistics as well as in neighboring disciplines insofar as these are deemed to be of interest to linguists and other students of natural language. This includes grammar, both functional and formal, with a focus on morphology, syntax, and semantics, pragmatics and discourse, phonetics and phonology, psycholinguistics, and sociolinguistics. The focus may be on one or several languages, but studies with a wide crosslinguistic (typological) coverage are also welcome. The perspective may be synchronic or diachronic. Linguistics also publishes up to two special issues a year in these areas, for which it welcomes proposals.