This class in the international LETF-MSc program will provide an overview over the semantic phenomenon of (in)definiteness, and its grammatical realisation in natural language. We will first discuss different concepts of definitness in terms of 'uniqueness', 'familiarity', or 'identifiability/reference' (Heim 1991, 2011), and then look at DEF-marking systems of the world. In a second step, we will then look at indefiniteness and relevant phenomena associated with indefiniteness, such as specificity and exceptional scopal effects. Throughout, we will illustrate the theoretical discussion with data from a range of language families, such as Germanic, Slavic, Salish, Bantu, Kwa, and possibly Cushitic.
Students are invited to start working on (in)definiteness phenomena either in their own native language, or else in a language of their choice.
- Kursleiter*in: Prof. Dr. Malte Zimmermann