Describing definites and indefinites

This paper is an overview of semantic distinctions attested in definite and indefinite noun phrases which have been identified to date in the world's languages, and practical ways of identifying these categories. We introduce the semantic notions which lay at the basis of (in)definiteness and common ways of marking these distinctions in language. Typologically common distinctions within each category are identified, along with elicitation-based tests and textual uses that would support a description of a particular type of definite or indefinite nominal. For definiteness, relevant subtypes include unique, anaphoric, shared knowledge, and exophoric definites, as well as corresponding distinctions in the domain of pronouns. Subtypes of indefinites are identified based on their scopal behavior, licensing conditions, domain conditions, and epistemic conditions. An appendix summarizes the diagnostics suggested throughout the paper.