The Semantics of Determiners: Domain Restriction in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh
Library Item
This book investigates the properties of determiners in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Salish.
Determiners in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh are shown to behave significantly differently from the definite determiner the in English, as Sḵwx̱wú7mesh lacks a definite/indefiniteness distinction. All Sḵwx̱wú7mesh DPs can be used in both familiar and novel contexts, and are not required to refer to a unique entity. Instead, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh determiners are split along deictic/non-deicticlines.
Determiners can therefore vary in terms of their semantics. However, determiners are argued to universally encode contextual sensitivity (domain restriction). A strict correlation between the syntax and semantics of determiners is proposed: if an article occupies D, it is context sensitive. Conversely, articles that do not occupy D are not context sensitive.
This book also explores determiner systems in other Salish languages. Deixis is part of most of the Salish determiner systems, but the systems vary quite a bit from one another. Other languages discussed include Inuttut (Labrador Inukitut), Lithuanian and Maori.
Determiners in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh are shown to behave significantly differently from the definite determiner the in English, as Sḵwx̱wú7mesh lacks a definite/indefiniteness distinction. All Sḵwx̱wú7mesh DPs can be used in both familiar and novel contexts, and are not required to refer to a unique entity. Instead, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh determiners are split along deictic/non-deicticlines.
Determiners can therefore vary in terms of their semantics. However, determiners are argued to universally encode contextual sensitivity (domain restriction). A strict correlation between the syntax and semantics of determiners is proposed: if an article occupies D, it is context sensitive. Conversely, articles that do not occupy D are not context sensitive.
This book also explores determiner systems in other Salish languages. Deixis is part of most of the Salish determiner systems, but the systems vary quite a bit from one another. Other languages discussed include Inuttut (Labrador Inukitut), Lithuanian and Maori.
LIB.00278
Cambridge Scholars Publishing
2013
978-1-4438-5311-8
Print and published material
Language and Linguistics
English, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim
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