Aspects of the Structure and Meaning of Partitive Constructions

Journal Article

, Almansour, Abdulrahman . 2011

• المجلة \ الصحيفة: Journal of King Saud University, Arts
• رقم العدد: 24
• رقم الإصدار السنوي: 1
• الصفحات: 1-11

مستخلص المنشور

In this study I explore the structure and meaning of partitive constructions. I investigate the relation between partitivity and specificity, and argue that partitives in Classical/Standard Arabic manifest the same type of ambiguity with regard to specificity that is manifested by regular indefinite noun phrases. I also shed light on a phenomenon that has never been noticed in the literature. Specifically, I uncover a use of the nominal –n suffix that has never been brought to light before. I argue that this suffix is required to be attached to certain determiners in partitive constructions to satisfy a structural function.