Weak Definites with Dutch hyponyms of 'restaurant'

Abstract

This thesis is in the field of linguistics, semantics to be precise. A class of definite articles exists which behaves differently than the classical account would predict. These definites we call weak definites. This thesis will look at the definites which appear with hyponyms of restaurant. For these words an experiment was set up to determine which words can appear with a weak definite and which with a regular definite. The results from this experiment were then analysed. This analysis was done with two factors in mind which might play a role in determining whether or not a noun can appear with a weak definite. These factors are entrenchment and inclusivity. The results from this analysis were then presented in the conclusions.