| Chapter 2: | Background Study |
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following stages: schwa-form → nominative function → numeral function → non-specific function → generic function. As demonstrated in this sequence, the indefinite article is initially used as part of a procedure for naming, that is, in its appellative or nominative function. Karmiloff-Smith noticed that young children never made the error of using the definite article for this function.
Karmiloff-Smith also proposed that the acquisition of the definite article could be identified into the following stages: schwa-form → deictic function → exophoric function → anaphoric function → generic function. As revealed in this sequence, the definite article from the outset has quite a distinct function. It is used by the child deictically to draw attention to the referent that is the focus of attention.
The numeral function of the indefinite article and deictic function of the definite article appear to be related to the historical development of the indefinite and the definite articles. According to J. Lyons (1975, 1977), the definite article and the demonstratives are historically linked. The definite article in English is derived from the Old English neutral demonstrative pronoun þæt, which split to produce the and the weak noncontrastive that. Both these words can be used determinatively to situate a referent in context. The indicates specificity of object, while that adds context to the noun.
The indefinite article, however, derives from the Old English an, which served as either a or the numeral one. Today these two forms are virtually interchangeable, although there are circumstances where a is preferred. For example, with the use of an idea contrary to that expected, a is the form used as shown in the following dialogue:
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A: There’s a/one man.
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B: No, it isn’t a man; it’s a lady.
So, historically speaking, the indefinite article is not part of a contrastive system with the definite article, but the latter is more closely related to the demonstratives.