SILGLOBALGlossary of
Linguistic Terms

Glossary term S

Specificity

Definition

Specificity is a kind of definiteness, expressed by the interpretation of or grammatical marking on a noun or noun phrase, indicating that the speaker presumably knows the identity of the referent(s).

Examples

(English)

  • The following sentence has the interpretation that the speaker has a particular Norwegian in mind:
  • Minna wants to meet the Norwegian.

    • See also

    Noun Phrase Speaker Referent

    Sources 2

    1. Hawkins, J. 1978, 203-204
    2. Anderson, S. 1985, 179
    Explore the bibliography

    Find a term or reference

    Try “phonology”, “evidentiality”, or “Crystal”. esc to close.