基于There-be结构生成看名词短语限定性问题

An Analysis of Definiteness of NP Based on Derivation of There- be Structure

英语中There+be经过语法化等过程生成了现在的存在句。传统语法通常要求There-be存在句中的NP为非限定性,但事实上英语有很多限定性NP的存在结构。其合理性的原因是:语法化后,存在句主要的功能是引入新信息。虽然有些NP形式上是因为语法需要而使用限定性,但所指是新信息。因此这些限制性NP也是符合存在句的功能要求,是合理的。

There -be structure is generated by the process of grammaticalization. Traditional grammar prescribes that NP in the construction should be indefinite, which is socalled ＂ definite restriction＂. In fact, there are practical cases in which NP are definite. The feasibility reason is that after grammaticalization, the existential sentence is used to introduce new information. Some forms of NP refer to new information, which is in accordance with the function, although they are modified by definite determiners for grammatical need.