Non-Maximal Definites in Romance

Mainly based on data from Old Spanish and Modern Francoprovençal, this paper discusses a hitherto underresearched use of the Romance definite article that cannot straightforwardly be explained by recurring to any standard analyses semantic definiteness, i.e., maximality and/or familiarity. We show such weakly referential definites are with representative object interpretations licensed kind-oriented mode talk not short weak definites. They denote inherently non-specific, semantically number neutral regular objects whose only co(n)textual relevance is their being typical instantiations corresponding kind. Representative shown favored ‘habitual’ readings predicate (and text genres like recipes, treatises, narratives about what people used do in former times, etc.). In case especially scope non-perfective verb tenses prepositional or presentational complements sometimes direct objects. Spanish, non-maximal often occur non-assertive mood (imperative/subjunctive, due genre recipes), while, at same time, introducing important discourse referents. addition, latter language demonstrated positively susceptible priming preceding