The Articles and Demonstrative Pronoun Case Forms in English and Albanian: A Corpus-Based Study

Abstract

The Albanian article problem, despite the numerous contributions given so far, presents several questions still to be answered. As this problem in Albanian is rather complex, it is necessary to keep in mind that it has appeared to realize the formal and semantic opposition definite – indefinite. In attested Albanian the genuine definite article is postpositive. The so-called prepositive articles perform: 1) A function similar to that of the morphemes, when they are used as an integral part of the genitive case, of the pre-articulated adjective or nouns. 2) A determinative function, when the prepositive article /të/ is used before the cardinal number (from two upwards), or before the indefinite pronouns /gjithë and tërë/. 3) A function similar to that of the possessive pronouns when they are used with ancient kinship nouns /I ati, e ëma etc). Concerning the chronology of the postpositive and prepositive articles in Albanian, some scholars (Pedersen etc.) consider the prepositive article to be primary, whereas Çabej is of an opposite opinion, which seems to be more sustainable. He upholds his thesis by numerous phonetic and morpho-syntactic arguments, among which one may cite the age of the acc. Sing. Article from -në (-n-të), the greater reduction of the postpositive article case forms, their closer link with the noun etc. Various opinions have been expressed on the age of the postpositive article. At any rate, it seems to have appeared not later than the first centuries of our era. The prepositive article is also of a relatively old age (Sh. Demiraj).  

Received: 22 April 2024 / Accepted: 30 December 2024 / Published: 05 January 2025