In this study definiteness is considered in
view of information structures, especially giving weight to the notion of
"familiarity." We compare it with three other information structures: old- and
new-information, theme and rheme, and reference. Through this comparison we find
that the category of definiteness is independent from the other structures,
although it correlates with them.
Then, this paper analyses the Egyptian
short play "cArafa Kayfa Yamuutu" by Tawfiiq al-Hakiim to show how definite noun
phrases are used in discourse, and we found that the following features decide
the usage of definite noun phrases:
The result tells us that the structure of
definiteness and indefiniteness is not only defined through hearersユ or readersユ
state, but also that definiteness can be employed actively or subjectively by
the speaker/writer. Definiteness is one independent information structure and a
device which can be used actively by writers/speakers to send their message to
others.
(The paper itself is written in Japanese.)