浅谈英语语言成分的定指和不定指  

On the Expressions of Definiteness and Indefiniteness in English

作　　者：赵蓉晖 

出　　处：《外语教学》1989年第3期18-23,共6页Foreign Language Education

摘　　要：在现代语言学研究中,不少学者对语言成分的定指和不定指性(Definiteness and Indefiniteness)进行了探讨和研究。荷兰语言学家Simon C.Dik 在他的《功能语法》(Functional Grammar)一书中指出:定指与不定指的概念存在于人们的语言交际中,可以从语用的角度加以分辨。美国语言学家Talmy Givon 的《理解语法》(On Understanding Grammar)This article discusses the expression of definiteness and indefiniten-ess in English from the semantic and pragmatic perspectives.It empha-sizes that the study of definiteness and indefiniteness is closely relatedto the knowledge of the speaker and the hearer.This article consists of three parts:Part one studies the semantic features of definite and indefiniteexpressions.It points out that indefinite expressions are used toconvey new information to the hearer.Definite expressions,however,are used to invoke the hearer's antecedent knowledge of the referent,and to enable the hearer to identify the particular intended referent(s) of the term in question.Part tWo has considered the distinctions between definite andindefinite expressions in English,mainly in noun phrases and pronouns.In addition,this article has defined the past tense as definiteand the present tense as indefinite according to their semantic featu-res and uses.Part three shows the different functions of definite and indefinite expressions in English sentences.It proves that definite expre-ssions are often used as subjects and indefinite expressions are likelytobe used as objects through an investigation among four types ofwritings.This article is an initial attempt to explore the expression ofdefiniteness and indefiniteness in English.Some of the ideas pointedout in the article are far from being fully discussed.However,fur-her research and discussion in this area wiii benifit us both in for-eign language teaching and learning.

关 键 词：英语句子 语言环境 表现形式 功能语法 语言交际 英语句法结构 语言学家 不定指 人称代词 英语语法 

分 类 号：H3[语言文字]