La distinction valeur générique/valeur non spécifique est-elle soutenable ?

Résumé En Fr

The present article supports the combinatory (nonsemantic) distinction between the generic and nonspecific value of the indefinite noun phrase. The line of argument presented is the following : nonindividual concepts and terms taken out of context have a general value, which is their only inherent value, identical with their extension. Any other values associated with them appear in a given context, i.e. when they take on syntactic functions. The conclusion drawn is that these values are relational (combinatory). • Two types of syntactic functions are distinguished : attributive function (attributive use) or constitutive propositional function, and referential function (referential use) or function of binding the argument variable in the scope of another term. Therefore, the referential use of a term is identical with its restrictive function. The generic value of a general term is the result of its referential use (as the restrictor of an argument variable) in the scope of a general term, the latter being in attributive use. The nonspecific value of the same general term is generated by its attributive use. The only condition to be met is that the argument variable it has in its scope should be bound by a singular term incorporating a modal concept that excludes

The present article supports the combinatory (nonsemantic) distinction between the generic and nonspecific value of the indefinite noun phrase. The line of argument presented is the following : nonindividual concepts and terms taken out of context have a general value, which is their only inherent value, identical with their extension. Any other values associated with them appear in a given context, i.e. when they take on syntactic functions. The conclusion drawn is that these values are relational (combinatory). • Two types of syntactic functions are distinguished : attributive function (attributive use) or constitutive propositional function, and referential function (referential use) or function of binding the argument variable in the scope of another term. Therefore, the referential use of a term is identical with its restrictive function. The generic value of a general term is the result of its referential use (as the restrictor of an argument variable) in the scope of a general term, the latter being in attributive use. The nonspecific value of the same general term is generated by its attributive use. The only condition to be met is that the argument variable it has in its scope should be bound by a singular term incorporating a modal concept that excludes