A COGNITIVE APPROACH TO DEFINITENESS: FROM SPECIFIC TO GENERIC

Abstract

This paper presents a study of the meaning of the English definite article using the framework of Cognitive Grammar developed by Ronald Langacker. What we focus on in particular is two kinds of non-specific usage: the generic definite and what we call the role definite. Our analysis in terms of Cognitive Grammar constructs and the newly introduced Identity Model will show that those definites designate imaginary individuals set up for expressive purposes. Definiteness itself is defined as the speech-act participants' mental access to the identity of the designatum.