Article
Definiteness without D: The case of Tagalog ang and ng
Canadian Journal of Linguistics
(2015)
Abstract
This paper considers the syntactic and semantic properties of two vocabulary items in Tagalog, ang and ng. It is shown that although ang and ng appear to encode definiteness (via familiarity), they are in fact unmarked for definiteness, being compatible with both familiar and novel readings. Crucial data from modification by weak quantifiers are presented in favour of this description. The default interpretation of ang and ng as familiar and novel, respectively, arises due to their syntactic position (subject versus object). Given that ang and ng mark case, it is argued that they are case markers in K° and not determiners.
Keywords
- Tagalog,
- determiners,
- case,
- definiteness,
- familiarity,
- scope
Disciplines
- Linguistics and
- Syntax
Publication Date
November, 2015
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0008413100026256
Citation Information
Ileana Paul, Key Cortes and Lareina Milambiling. "Definiteness without D: The case of Tagalog ang and ng" Canadian Journal of Linguistics Vol. 60 Iss. 3 (2015) p. 361 - 390 ISSN: 0008-4131 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ileanapaul/60/