Selected Indicators of Definiteness and Indefiniteness Cover Image

Odabrani pokazatelji određenosti i neodređenosti
Selected Indicators of Definiteness and Indefiniteness

Author(s): Marija Zinka
Subject(s): Syntax, Semantics, Historical Linguistics, South Slavic Languages, Philology
Published by: Hrvatsko filološko društvo
Keywords: Selected Indicators; Definiteness; Indefiniteness; Croatian language;

Summary/Abstract: The paper briefly outlines the category of definiteness and its two denotations [+ definite], [- definite] and the means by which they are expressed. The analysis includes examples in which the form of the adjective does not allow an unambiguous conclusion on whether these adjectives express the definiteness or indefiniteness of the noun with which they appear as attributes. The performed analysis results in the conclusion that the language offers auxiliary means not only for the detection of definiteness (demonstrative pronouns, verb aspect, cases of some nouns...) but also for the identification of the indefiniteness in forms in which it is not morphemically expressed. Such means primarily include additional adverbs (vrlo, jako, baš, onako, tako...), intensified adjectives ending in –cat (e.g.: novcat), questions (koji?, kakav?), as well as information whether the adjective used as attribute was added as a part of a proper name, a denomination, a phraseme, a proverb.

  • Issue Year: 57/2010
  • Issue No: 5
  • Page Range: 164-175
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Croatian