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40
exponent of the feature (i.e. its absence) realizes an important part of the integral article determination
semantics. As for the heterogeneity of functions displayed by the absence of the article, it by no means can be
taken as a ground for denying the relevance or expediency of introducing the notion of zero in the article
system. As a matter of fact, each of the two essential meanings of this dialectically complex form is clearly
revealed in its special oppositional correlation and, consequently, corresponds to the really existing lingual facts
irrespective of the name given to the form by the observer.
The best way of demonstrating the actual oppositional value of the articles on the immediate textual material
is to contrast them in syntactically equivalent conditions in pairs. Cf. the examples given below.
Identical nounal positions for the pair "the definite article-the indefinite article": The train hooted (that
train). -A train hooted (some train).
Correlative nounal positions for the pair "the definite article-the absence of the article": I'm afraid the
oxygen is out (our supply of oxygen). - Oxygen is necessary for life (oxygen in general, life in general).
Correlative nounal positions for the pair "the indefinite article - the absence of the article": Be careful, there
is a puddle under your feet (a kind of puddle).-Be careful, there is mud on the ground (as different from clean
space).
Finally, correlative nounal positions for the easily neutralized pair "the zero article of relative generalization
- the zero article of absolute generalization": New information should be gathered on this subject (some
information). -
Scientific information should be gathered systematically in all fields of human knowledge
(information in general).
On the basis of the oppositional definition of the article it becomes possible to explicate the semantic
function of the article determination of nouns for cases where the inherent value of the article is contrasted
against the contrary semantic value of the noun or the nounal collocation.
In particular, the indefinite article may occasionally be used with a nounal collocation of normally
individualizing meaning, e.g.:
Rodney Harrington laughed out loud as he caught a last glimpse of Allison Mackenzie and Norman Page in
his rear-vision mirror (Gr. Metalious). After all, you've got a best side and a worst side ,of yourself and it's no
good showing the worst side and harping on it (A. Christie).
Conversely, the definite article may occasionally be used with a nounal collocation of normally descriptive
meaning, e.g.:
Ethel still went in the evenings to bathe in the silent pool (S. Maugham).
The indefinite article may occasionally be used with a unique referent noun, e.g.:
Ted Latimer from beyond her murmured: "The sun here isn't a real sun" (A. Christie).
  The zero article may occasionally be used with an ordinary concrete noun the semantic nature of which
stands, as it were, in sharp contradiction to the idea of uncountable generalization, e.g.:
The glasses had a habit of slipping down her button nose which did not have enough bridge to hold them up
(S.M. Disney). He went up a well-kept drive to a modern house with a square roof and a good deal of window
(A. Christie).
In all these and similar cases, by virtue of being correlated with semantic elements of contrary nature, the
inherent categorial meanings of the articles appear, as it were, in their original, pure quality. Having no
environmental support, the articles become intensely self-dependent in the expression of their categorial
semantics, and, against the alien contextual background, traces of transposition can be seen in their use.
§ 5. Having established the functional value of articles in oppositional assessment, we can now, in broader
systemic contraposition, probe the correlation of the meanings of articles with the meanings of functional
determiners. As a result of this observation, within the system of the determiners two separate subsets can be
defined, one of which is centred around the definite article with its individualizing semantics (this-these, that-
those, my, our, your, his, her, its, their), and the other one around the indefinite article with its generalizing
semantics (another, some, any, every, no). The type of the division is such as to show the integration of the
article meanings into the total semantic volume of the determiners. In other words, the observation inevitably
leads us to the conclusion that the article determination of the noun as a specific grammatical category remains
valid also in such cases when the noun is modified not by the article itself, but by a semi-notional determiner.
This is clearly seen in equivalency confrontations such as the following:
But unhappily the -wife wasn't listening. - But unhappily his wife wasn't listening.
The whispering voices caught the attention of the guards. - Those whispering voices caught their attention.
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