7,122
edits
Celabrian: Difference between revisions
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→Definiteness
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*Definite: Something known to both speaker and listener, usually either something that has been mentioned or that is unique. Equivalent to English "the" in "I saw '''the''' man." | *Definite: Something known to both speaker and listener, usually either something that has been mentioned or that is unique. Equivalent to English "the" in "I saw '''the''' man." | ||
*Semidefinite: Something specific that may not be known by the listener. Equivalent to English "a" in "I saw '''a''' man." | *Semidefinite: Something specific that may not be known by the listener. Equivalent to English "a" in "I saw '''a''' man." | ||
*Indefinite: Something non-specific. Equivalent to English "a" in "I did not see '''a''' man." | *Indefinite: Something non-specific. Equivalent to English "a" in "I did not see '''a''' man." or "I need '''a''' (non-specific) car." | ||
Nouns unmarked for definiteness are semidefinite by default. The definite article is ''-<u>ə</u>n'' (added before case endings). | Nouns unmarked for definiteness are semidefinite by default. The definite article is ''-<u>ə</u>n'' (added before case endings). | ||