Re: CHAT: Definite/Indefinite Article Distinction

From: "Steven Williams" <feurieaux@...>
> On 10 Sep 02, at 12:22, bnathyuw scribbled in crayon:
>
> > use of def art with proper nouns : Greek, German
> > use of def art with abstract nouns : Greek, French (
> > does German do this ? )
>
> Yes, German does use the definite article with
> abstract nouns at times. Instead of saying just
> 'Natur' (nature - as in the collective entity of life
> outside of manmade concrete boxes), one says 'die
> Natur'. Sometimes, this is optional - I've heard both
> 'Liebe' and 'die Liebe' (love) in abstract uses.
Kirumb uses indeclinable "há" [xQ:] (of obscure origin) for this.

Technically it uses it for nouns whose referent is not merely definite but
unequivocal: há X = "X in general" or "X (you know which X I mean)"--pretty much
the places where English doesn't use articles.  I don't know why she swallowed
the fly.  Perhaps she'll die.


    *Muke!
--
http://www.frath.net/