Definiteness (Hardcover)

Christopher Lyons

ISBN 10: 0521362822 / ISBN 13: 9780521362825

Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999

Hardcover. This textbook investigates definiteness both from a comparative and a theoretical point of view, showing how languages express definiteness and what definiteness is. It surveys a large number of languages to discover the range of variation in relation to definiteness and related grammatical phenomena, such as demonstratives, possessives and personal pronouns. It outlines work done on the nature of definiteness in semantics, pragmatics and syntax, and develops an account on which definiteness is a grammatical category represented in syntax as a functional head (the widely discussed D). Consideration is also given to the origins and evolution of definite articles in the light of the comparative and theoretical findings. Among the claims advanced are that definiteness does not occur in all languages, though the pragmatic concept which it grammaticalizes probably does. An explanation of the grammatical concept of definiteness ('the', 'this', 'that') and how many languages express it. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780521362825

Synopsis:

This 1999 book is an explanation of the grammatical concept of definiteness ('the', 'this', 'that') and how many languages express it.

Book Description: Definiteness is the concept expressed by definite articles such as 'the', and also by demonstratives ('this', that') and personal pronouns. This 1999 textbook surveys such expressions in many languages, and examines theoretical literature on this aspect of grammar, to establish what definiteness is and how languages can express it.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Definiteness (Hardcover)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Publication Date: 1999
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: new