ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G02-030 · ATLAS 259

Definiteness

Definiteness is a property of referential expressions modelled differently across grammatical and semantic approaches.

Part of the subject path Syntax and Grammar

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

G · Foundational concept R2 · Necessary foundation

Definiteness provides a foundation for analysing identifiable reference and its grammatical marking. A definite article must not simply be equated with knowledge actually shared by participants.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

Definiteness here concerns presenting a referent as identifiable in the relevant context. Earlier mention, the shared situation or a uniquely applicable description can support that presentation. A definite article is one possible expression; not every language has one. Definiteness differs from specificity: a speaker may have a particular person in mind without presenting that person as identifiable to the addressee. Whether definiteness affects object marking must be established for the language and construction concerned.

Movement of thought

1. Identify the referring expression. 2. Reconstruct the context for identification. 3. Describe form and interpretation separately. 4. Check specificity and object marking independently.

Scientific use case

A corpus study could annotate object marking, definiteness and specificity separately and compare their distributions.

Example

“There is a bicycle in the courtyard. The bicycle is blue.” In this constructed text, the definite expression refers back to the introduced object.

Counterexample

“I am looking for a particular employee whose name I have not told you” can be specific without presenting that employee as identified for the addressee.

Distinction

Distinguish specificity, personal familiarity and certainty of existence. Article use and differential object marking are language-specific.

Effect on thought and perception

The analysis clarifies what shared orientation a referring expression presupposes or establishes.

Resonance

A small article points towards a shared portion of the world.

Provenance

Parallel source review reconciled 2026-10-07; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Definiteness“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G02-030. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G02-030

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G02-030

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.