Abstract
This paper introduces a new proposal for accommodating “weak definites” (Carlson and Sussman 2005) within a comprehensive theory of definiteness. Weak definites are analyzed as relational definites and compared to other members of this paradigm: associative (or “bridging”) definites (Hawkins 1978), and full relational definites (Barker 1993). The main claim is that weak definites are based on a relational meaning containing free variables which are bound within their own clause. The proposal defines weak definiteness as a constructional meaning involving the whole host clause and triggering a meaning enrichment based on the telic quale (Pustejovsky 1995) of the head noun.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.