Position of Definite Article in the Noun Phrase (Feature 9)
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Feature Annotation
A definite article is a morpheme which accompanies nouns and which codes definiteness or specificity, like the in English. This is a somewhat broader use of the term definite article than is common, since it includes (i) affixes on nouns that code definiteness; and (ii) demonstratives, if those demonstratives are used as markers of definiteness.
In this feature we ask whether the definite article (if it exists) occurs before or after the noun or simultaneously before and after (circumposed article).
If you choose value 4, no other value may be chosen.
When a demonstrative is extended to the definite article use, it may not be easy to tell whether we are already dealing with a definite article. In APiCS, we consider such a word as a definite article (and not merely a demonstrative in anaphoric function) if it can be used in associative contexts (e.g. I bought a new bicycle. The saddle is very comfortable). (See APiCS Glossary, Definite article).
Additional remarks
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Values
| Value | Value Annotation | |
| 1 | Definite article is preposed | Nicaraguan Creole Di watch man woz de. [art.def watch man cop.pst dem.loc] ’The watchman was there.’ |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Definite article is postposed | Kinubi ‘jua ‘de [house=det] ’this house’ |
| 3 | Definite article is circumposed | Possibly Mauritian Creole sa lakaz la [def house def] 'the house' |
| 4 | The language has no definite article | Chinuk Wawa |
WALS No.
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