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Predicative definite NPIs in Norwegian

Julien, Marit LU (2011) In Nordlyd 38. p.1-48
Abstract
In Norwegian, a weak quantifier or a scalar adjective with a positive value may combine with a definite noun and thereby form an attenuating NPI. These phrases, which I call predicative definite NPIs, are exceptional as nominal phrases, since they do not accept a prenominal definiteness marker despite their overall definiteness, and they are exceptional as attenuating NPIs, since they are templatic instead of being lexically defined.

The reason why predicative definite NPIs do not accept prenominal definiteness markers is arguably that there is no D head. The absence of a D head makes the phrases defective in their ability to refer. Hence, they are semantically predicative, and in the terms of Giannakidou (1998) they are... (More)
In Norwegian, a weak quantifier or a scalar adjective with a positive value may combine with a definite noun and thereby form an attenuating NPI. These phrases, which I call predicative definite NPIs, are exceptional as nominal phrases, since they do not accept a prenominal definiteness marker despite their overall definiteness, and they are exceptional as attenuating NPIs, since they are templatic instead of being lexically defined.

The reason why predicative definite NPIs do not accept prenominal definiteness markers is arguably that there is no D head. The absence of a D head makes the phrases defective in their ability to refer. Hence, they are semantically predicative, and in the terms of Giannakidou (1998) they are referentially dependent, which is a property that characterises many NPIs in general. Hence, the lack of a D head causes the phrases to be NPIs, despite their definiteness.

Concerning their licensing properties, when three influential theories of NPI-licensing—Progovac (1994), van der Wouden (1997) and Giannakidou (1998)—are confronted with the NPIs discussed here, it appears that Giannakidou’s model more successfully than the others can capture the licensing of predicative definite NPIs, although some refinement is required even here. (Less)
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author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
nominal phrase, negative polarity item, definiteness
in
Nordlyd
volume
38
pages
1 - 48
ISSN
0332-7531
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Swedish (015011001)
id
da21b5e9-1acf-40ad-9391-49f909a0e9e0 (old id 2341975)
alternative location
http://www.ub.uit.no/baser/septentrio/index.php/nordlyd/article/view/2182
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 08:06:31
date last changed
2018-11-21 20:49:09
@article{da21b5e9-1acf-40ad-9391-49f909a0e9e0,
  abstract     = {{In Norwegian, a weak quantifier or a scalar adjective with a positive value may combine with a definite noun and thereby form an attenuating NPI. These phrases, which I call predicative definite NPIs, are exceptional as nominal phrases, since they do not accept a prenominal definiteness marker despite their overall definiteness, and they are exceptional as attenuating NPIs, since they are templatic instead of being lexically defined.<br/><br>
The reason why predicative definite NPIs do not accept prenominal definiteness markers is arguably that there is no D head. The absence of a D head makes the phrases defective in their ability to refer. Hence, they are semantically predicative, and in the terms of Giannakidou (1998) they are referentially dependent, which is a property that characterises many NPIs in general. Hence, the lack of a D head causes the phrases to be NPIs, despite their definiteness.<br/><br>
Concerning their licensing properties, when three influential theories of NPI-licensing—Progovac (1994), van der Wouden (1997) and Giannakidou (1998)—are confronted with the NPIs discussed here, it appears that Giannakidou’s model more successfully than the others can capture the licensing of predicative definite NPIs, although some refinement is required even here.}},
  author       = {{Julien, Marit}},
  issn         = {{0332-7531}},
  keywords     = {{nominal phrase; negative polarity item; definiteness}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{1--48}},
  series       = {{Nordlyd}},
  title        = {{Predicative definite NPIs in Norwegian}},
  url          = {{http://www.ub.uit.no/baser/septentrio/index.php/nordlyd/article/view/2182}},
  volume       = {{38}},
  year         = {{2011}},
}