1、Lecture 7 Determiners (II)Articles7.1 Generic and specific referenceGeneric ReferenceGeneric ReferenceSpecific ReferenceSpecific ReferenceArticleDefiniteDefiniteSpecificSpecificReferenceReferenceIndefiniteIndefiniteSpecificSpecificReferenceReferenceAnaphoric SRCataphoric SRSituational S- When we say

2、 the reference is generic, we are talking about any When we say the reference is generic, we are talking about any member member representative of a class of people or thingsrepresentative of a class of people or things. All the . All the three forms of article ( the definite article three forms of

3、article ( the definite article thethe, the indefinite , the indefinite article article a(na(n), ), and the and the zero articlezero article) can be used generically to refer ) can be used generically to refer to the members of a class as a whole.to the members of a class as a whole.Generic Reference

4、Generic Referencethe + a singular count noun : the + adjectives or adjectival participles:An oxAn ox is a useful animal. is a useful animal.My brother William is planning to be My brother William is planning to be a lawyer.a lawyer.a/an + a singular count noun : Definite specific reference (Definite

5、 specific reference (確定特指確定特指) ) implies that a person or implies that a person or an object can be identified uniquely in the context or according to an object can be identified uniquely in the context or according to the common knowledge shared by speaker and hearer. The definite the common knowle

6、dge shared by speaker and hearer. The definite article “article “thethe” is most frequently used in this sense.” is most frequently used in this sense.Definite Specific ReferenceDefinite Specific Reference In the case of In the case of indefinite specific reference indefinite specific reference ( (非

7、確定特指非確定特指) ), the , the person or thing referred to is also a specific object, but is not person or thing referred to is also a specific object, but is not definitely identified. This kind of referential meaning is most definitely identified. This kind of referential meaning is most commonly express

8、ed by the indefinite article (commonly expressed by the indefinite article (a/ana/an). In certain ). In certain contexts and situations the contexts and situations the zero articlezero article can perform the same can perform the same function.function.Indefinite Specific ReferenceIndefinite Specifi

9、c ReferenceI have lost I have lost a buttona button. . I met I met an old manan old man in the street. in the street.Theres Theres a lettera letter for you. for you.A bookA book I want has been acquired by the library. I want has been acquired by the library.She put She put carrotscarrots in the ste

10、w. in the stew. The streets are clean and are shaded with The streets are clean and are shaded with treestrees. .Anaphoric Specific Reference 后照應(yīng)特指后照應(yīng)特指 The word The word anaphoric means “pointing backward”. When what means “pointing backward”. When what is referred to occurs in a previous context,

11、the definite article is referred to occurs in a previous context, the definite article the has to point backward for its meaning.has to point backward for its meaning.sheItCataphoric Specific Reference 前照應(yīng)特指前照應(yīng)特指 The word The word cataphoric means “pointing forward”. When the means “pointing forward

12、”. When the referential meaning of the definite article referential meaning of the definite article the is determined by is determined by what follows the article and the head, the article has to point what follows the article and the head, the article has to point forward for its own interpretation

13、.forward for its own interpretation. It depends not on any referent that has occurred in the It depends not on any referent that has occurred in the context but solely on the common knowledge shared by context but solely on the common knowledge shared by speaker and hearer or on a specific situation

14、 in which the speaker and hearer or on a specific situation in which the reference is made clear. It is most commonly denoted by the reference is made clear. It is most commonly denoted by the definite article definite article the, but in certain situations the same , but in certain situations the s

15、ame function can also be performed by function can also be performed by zero. .Situational Reference 語境特指語境特指Wife: “Im just back from Wife: “Im just back from the marketthe market.” .” Whats in Whats in the the paper(spaper(s) ) today? today?Shut Shut the doorthe door, please., please.Hows Hows the

16、coughthe cough today? today?He turned on He turned on the radiothe radio. .Whats on Whats on the radiothe radio? ?Mary asked, “Why is Mary asked, “Why is FatherFather out of work?” out of work?” John was elected John was elected chairmanchairman of the students union.of the students union.P75 Ex. 7A

17、Articles in use with different classes of nounRefer to P76-82T The use of articles is often a headache for us Chinese learners. This is not he use of articles is often a headache for us Chinese learners. This is not only because there is no article contrast in Chinese common nouns, but also only bec

18、ause there is no article contrast in Chinese common nouns, but also because there are too many because there are too many exceptions exceptions to the rules guiding the use of to the rules guiding the use of articles. articles. A As a matter of fact, the choice of an article in quite a few s a matter of fact, the choice of an article in quite a few idiomatic expressionsidiomatic expressions is just a matter of usage which is difficult or even is just a matter of usage which is difficult or even imposs