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

Author:

Albers Ulrike1ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Structures Formelles du Langage , 57493 Université de la Réunion , Saint-Pierre La Réunion , France , La Réunion

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.

Publisher

Walter de Gruyter GmbH

Reference71 articles.

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2. Albers, Ulrike. 2019. Le syntagme nominal en créole réunionnais: Forme et interprétation. Aix-en-Provence: Université d’Aix-Marseille dissertation.

3. Albers, Ulrike. 2020. A description of bare noun phrases in Reunion Creole. Journal of Pidgin and Creole Languages 35(1). 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1075/jpcl.00046.alb.

4. Albers, Ulrike. 2021. À propos du pluriel en réunionnais. In Renauld Govain (ed.), Langues creoles: Description, analyse didactisation et automatization. Hommage à Yves Dejean et Pierre Vernet, 51–64. Montpellier: PULM.

5. Alleesaib, Muhsina. 2012. Le groupe nominal en créole mauricien: Etudes syntaxiques. DP Syntax in Mauritian. Saint-Denis: Université de Paris VIII dissertation.

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