30 Generic noun phrases in subject function
This feature is described more fully in
chapter 30.
Summary
Here we consider the expression of generic noun phrases in subject position. Only sentences where both the subject and the situation to which the verb refers are generic are considered; sentences where only the subject, but not the verb phrase, is generic are disregarded. In many creole languages, noun phrases in generic sentences occur without any article, as in Bahamian Creole When cockroach give dance, he don’t ask fowl.
Authors
Philippe Maurer and the APiCS ConsortiumValues
| excl | shrd | all | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Language without definite and indefinite article | 9 | 0 | 9 |
 | Bare singular noun phrase in languages with definite article | 28 | 14 | 42 |
 | Bare singular noun phrase in languages without definite article | 6 | 0 | 6 |
 | Singular noun phrase with definite article | 3 | 15 | 18 |
 | Bare plural noun phrase in languages with definite article | 3 | 9 | 12 |
 | Bare plural noun phrase in languages without definite article | 2 | 0 | 2 |
 | Plural noun phrase with definite article | 2 | 10 | 12 |
 | Singular noun phrase with indefinite articles | 1 | 6 | 7 |
 | Singular noun phrase with adnominal possessive | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Representation: | 75 | |||
| Language | Value | Lexifier | Details | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Id | Primary text | Analyzed text | Gloss | Translation | Type | Language | Audio | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|