On Definiteness: A Study with Special Reference to English and Finnish

by Andrew Chesterman

Book Overview

This 1991 book proposes a theory of definiteness in language. It argues that definiteness should be viewed as a cover-term comprising three basic oppositions within the areas of familiarity (locatability), quantity (inclusiveness) and generality (extensivity). Further, the oppositions are not discrete but scalar, and lend themselves to characterization in terms of fuzzy theory. Dr Chesterman examines these themes, firstly by drawing on several traditions...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521022878
• ISBN13: 9780521022873
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 236 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"