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Re: definite/indefinite articles

From:Tristan McLeay <zsau@...>
Date:Monday, March 31, 2003, 3:18
On Sun, 30 Mar 2003, Michael David Martin wrote:

> Hello, > I've got a basic question regarding the definite and indefinite articles > ('the' 'a') - are they really necessary? Is there any reason to have them? > How about having the definite article but not the indefinite article? I was > just wondering if there was a reason that a language should have them.
Many languages get by just fine without either; I'm sure there's probably those with one. The main reason to have them is redundency: it makes it clearer what you're referring to. If you don't want them, or don't want the indefinite article, there's no reason to have them (unless you're talking about a natlang that already has them, like English, of course :) ) -- Tristan <kesuari@...> War doesn't prove who's right, just who's left. - fortune.

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Rachel Klippenstein <estel_telcontar@...>