Double Definiteness in Scandinavian
Abstract
In the so-called 'double definiteness' varieties of Scandinavian
(Norwegian, Swedish, and Faroese), a definite nominal phrase that contains
no adjective or numeral has a suffixed article but no prenominal
determiner. But if there are adjectives or numerals in a definite nominal
phrase, the suffixed article co-occurs with a prenominal determiner. In my
analysis, this pattern is related to the requirement that the D-projection
must be visible. Because of this requirement, nP, which is the projection
of the suffixed definiteness marker, moves to Spec-DP when no prenominal
modifiers are present. However, when adjectives or numerals intervene
between D and nP, they block nP-raising to Spec-DP. D must then be spelled
out, and the result is a preposed determiner.
(Norwegian, Swedish, and Faroese), a definite nominal phrase that contains
no adjective or numeral has a suffixed article but no prenominal
determiner. But if there are adjectives or numerals in a definite nominal
phrase, the suffixed article co-occurs with a prenominal determiner. In my
analysis, this pattern is related to the requirement that the D-projection
must be visible. Because of this requirement, nP, which is the projection
of the suffixed definiteness marker, moves to Spec-DP when no prenominal
modifiers are present. However, when adjectives or numerals intervene
between D and nP, they block nP-raising to Spec-DP. D must then be spelled
out, and the result is a preposed determiner.
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