We evaluate, for Malagasy (W. Austronesian; Madagascar), a standard observation regarding the distribution and marking of (in)definites in subject and in object position. Bare nouns naturally constitute direct objects (DOs) with an indefinite interpretation. But definite DOs are also natural, and some are marked with a preposition which also has a locative function (cf Roumanian, Spanish). Bare Ns do not occur as subjects, whereas inherently definite DPs – proper nouns, personal pronouns, demonstratives, Ns with a definite or previous mention article do. However three classes of Quantified DPs – cardinal, universal, and proportionality ones, also naturally occur as subjects. They are constructed with an apparent definite article, but their meanings in English would be called indefinite.
2018. Predicate raising and perception verb complements in Malagasy. Natural Language & Linguistic Theory 36:3 ► pp. 781 ff.
Paul, Ileana
2016. When bare nouns scope wide. The case of Malagasy. Natural Language & Linguistic Theory 34:1 ► pp. 271 ff.
Hanitramalala, Rita & Ileana Paul
2012. Malagasy Quantifiers*. In Handbook of Quantifiers in Natural Language [Studies in Linguistics and Philosophy, 90], ► pp. 613 ff.
Keenan, Edward L.
2009. Existential sentences in Tagalog: commentary on the paper by Joseph Sabbagh. Natural Language & Linguistic Theory 27:4 ► pp. 721 ff.
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