The Definite and Indefinite Articles of Spanish (or Castilian) Language in Context
The present paper addresses the contrast between the definite article (el/la/los/las) and the indefinite article (un/a/os/as) from a cognitive approach that not only poses a single meaning for each kind of article, but also highlights the pragmatic (or contextual) aspects that underlie that meaning...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Catalan |
| Published: |
University of Ljubljana Press (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani)
2018-12-01
|
| Series: | Verba Hispanica |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.uni-lj.si/VerbaHispanica/article/view/8332 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849721121410121728 |
|---|---|
| author | Sonia Montero Gálvez |
| author_facet | Sonia Montero Gálvez |
| author_sort | Sonia Montero Gálvez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
The present paper addresses the contrast between the definite article (el/la/los/las) and the indefinite article (un/a/os/as) from a cognitive approach that not only poses a single meaning for each kind of article, but also highlights the pragmatic (or contextual) aspects that underlie that meaning and establish the use of one form or another. The article’s meaning is shaped by the way we conceptualize the reference: the definite article implies an inclusive reference characterized by the uniqueness of the referent, while the indefinite article implies an exclusive reference characterized by the lack of uniqueness. The possibility to choose one or other way depends on contextual aspects related to the common knowledge shared by the interlocutors, the communicative context (linguistic and situational) and the space (physical or mental) where the referent is located.
|
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-477be85c22ed430fbb88d685637cdd19 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 0353-9660 2350-4250 |
| language | Catalan |
| publishDate | 2018-12-01 |
| publisher | University of Ljubljana Press (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Verba Hispanica |
| spelling | doaj-art-477be85c22ed430fbb88d685637cdd192025-08-20T03:11:46ZcatUniversity of Ljubljana Press (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani)Verba Hispanica0353-96602350-42502018-12-0126110.4312/vh.26.1.99-127The Definite and Indefinite Articles of Spanish (or Castilian) Language in ContextSonia Montero Gálvez0Columbia University The present paper addresses the contrast between the definite article (el/la/los/las) and the indefinite article (un/a/os/as) from a cognitive approach that not only poses a single meaning for each kind of article, but also highlights the pragmatic (or contextual) aspects that underlie that meaning and establish the use of one form or another. The article’s meaning is shaped by the way we conceptualize the reference: the definite article implies an inclusive reference characterized by the uniqueness of the referent, while the indefinite article implies an exclusive reference characterized by the lack of uniqueness. The possibility to choose one or other way depends on contextual aspects related to the common knowledge shared by the interlocutors, the communicative context (linguistic and situational) and the space (physical or mental) where the referent is located. https://journals.uni-lj.si/VerbaHispanica/article/view/8332ArticleDefinitenessIndefinitenessInclusive and Exclusive ReferenceContextCognitive Linguistics |
| spellingShingle | Sonia Montero Gálvez The Definite and Indefinite Articles of Spanish (or Castilian) Language in Context Verba Hispanica Article Definiteness Indefiniteness Inclusive and Exclusive Reference Context Cognitive Linguistics |
| title | The Definite and Indefinite Articles of Spanish (or Castilian) Language in Context |
| title_full | The Definite and Indefinite Articles of Spanish (or Castilian) Language in Context |
| title_fullStr | The Definite and Indefinite Articles of Spanish (or Castilian) Language in Context |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Definite and Indefinite Articles of Spanish (or Castilian) Language in Context |
| title_short | The Definite and Indefinite Articles of Spanish (or Castilian) Language in Context |
| title_sort | definite and indefinite articles of spanish or castilian language in context |
| topic | Article Definiteness Indefiniteness Inclusive and Exclusive Reference Context Cognitive Linguistics |
| url | https://journals.uni-lj.si/VerbaHispanica/article/view/8332 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT soniamonterogalvez thedefiniteandindefinitearticlesofspanishorcastilianlanguageincontext AT soniamonterogalvez definiteandindefinitearticlesofspanishorcastilianlanguageincontext |