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Article published In: NOWELE
Vol. 75:2 (2022) ► pp.160–193

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Incipient articles in Old East Scandinavian varieties

ORCiD logo with link | The University of Edinburgh
ORCiD logo with link | The University of Edinburgh
Published online: 22 November 2022
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/nowele.00067.san
Abstract
This is a study of the semantics of definiteness marking and of its applicability to the Old East Scandinavian linguistic scenario. Contrary to the Modern Continental Scandinavian languages, Old East Scandinavian varieties did not possess fully-fledged definite articles, although all three demonstrative systems (hinn, -inn, sá/þænn, and sjá/þænni) show some evidence of being used as markers of definiteness. A semantic analysis of these forms in extracts from the Scanian Law and Guta Lag reveals the differentiated intermediate stages along the cline of grammaticalisation these definiteness markers found themselves in during this linguistic period. This confirms, in turn, that despite not being employed as definite articles proper, hinn, -inn and sá/þænn show some degree of semantic bleaching.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The Old Scandinavian tripartite demonstrative system
    • 2.1Introduction
    • 2.2The incipient article hinn and enclitic -inn
    • 2.3The simple distal demonstrative sá/þænn
    • 2.4The compound proximal demonstrative sjá/þænni
  • 3.Demonstratives versus definite articles
    • 3.1Introduction
    • 3.2Stage I: Situationally evoked deixis
    • 3.3Stage II: Direct anaphoric reference
    • 3.4Stage III: Indirect anaphoric reference
    • 3.5Stage IV: Unique reference
    • 3.6Stage V: Generic reference
    • 3.7Diagnostics
    • 3.8Revisiting hinn and enclitic -inn
  • 4.Incipient articles in Äldre Västgötalagen
    • 4.1Introduction
    • 4.2The text
    • 4.3Enclitic -inn in Äldre Västgötalagen
    • 4.4The distal demonstrative sá/þænn in Äldre Västgötalagen
    • 4.5Conclusion
  • 5.Incipient articles in the Scanian Law and the Guta Lag
    • 5.1Introduction
    • 5.2The incipient article hinn
    • 5.3Enclitic -inn
    • 5.4The distal demonstrative sá/þænn
    • 5.5The compound proximal demonstrative sjá/þænni
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
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