Universal #1744
Legacy number: 1744
| Number | 1739 |
| Original | The fact that pronominal heads do not take the definite article is a very widespread and possibly universal phenomenon, explainable to an extent by frequently attested pronominal nature of the article itself. |
| Standardized | Noun phrases with personal pronouns as their heads tend not to take definite articles. |
| Keywords | pronoun, personal pronoun, article, definiteness |
| Domain | syntax |
| Type | unconditional |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | absolute? |
| Basis | languages in Moravcsik 1994b |
| Source | Plank & Moravcsik 1996: 198 (cf. Moravcsik 1994b) |
Discussion
Counterexamples
In Kana (=Khana) (Benue-Congo, Niger-Congo), the combination of specifier ‘lo’ and emphatic personal pronoun is used to denote ‘X-self’. The specifier ‘lo’ usually refers to a singular, presupposed and definite noun (Ikoro 1996).In Hova (Malagasy dialect) (Borneo, Western Malayo-Polynesian), the combination of an article and personal pronouns is used to form emphatic pronominal forms (Brandstetter 1913 (mentioned also in Moravcsik 1969: 76)). In Quiche (Mayan), for emphasis personal pronouns can occur with demonstratives and articles (Schultze 1933).In Bigis (=Buginese) (Sulawesi, Western Malayo-Polynesian) and Somali (Cushitic, Afro-Asiatic), full personal pronouns are formed by attachment of an article to an enclitic or "short" pronominal forms (Brandstetter 1913, mentioned also in Moravcsik 1969: 76, Reinisch 1903).In Tzutujil (Maya), the definite article is often used with non-third person pronouns when they are topics or subjects (Dayley 1985). (For details see Filimonova (forthcoming)).
Notes
Cf. #1743 which is more resolute, prohibiting combination of personal pronouns with determiners in general.Implicational version:If NPs have a personal pronoun as their head, then such NPs do not permit a definite article.
Log in to join the discussion.
Implicational version:
If NPs have a personal pronoun as their head, then such NPs do not permit a definite article.