the syntax and semantics of relativization and quantification

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6.3.2 Semantic effects of co-Case marking
In this section I will provide data showing that continuous and discontinuous noun
phrases are not identical in meaning. In particular, weak quantifiers and adjectives
in discontinuous constructions yield indefinite meanings of the “complete” noun
phrase. I consider each of the three cases of adjectives, weak quantifiers and strong
quantifiers in turn.
6.3.2.1 Adjectives
When an adjective and a noun appear independently Case-marked, this discontinuous
noun phrase receives an indefinite interpretation. By contrast the continuous
expression can be either indefinite or definite. One context in which this contrast
becomes evident is illustrated in the examples in (6.30). Here, the speaker and I
(the addressee) have previously discussed a particular big house in the speaker’s
village. I subsequently visit her village, and when I return the speaker questions me
about my visit. Under these circumstances my consultants find only (6.30a) to be
appropriate (‘Did you see the big house?), not (6.30b) (‘Did you see a big house?’).
(6.30) (a) [Hatun
big
wasi]-ta
house-acc
‘Did you see a/the big house?’
riku-rqa-nki-chu?
see-past-2sg-Q
(b) #Hatun-ta wasi-ta riku-rqa-nki-chu?
big-acc house-acc see-past-2sg-Q
‘Did you see a big house?’
It is interesting to note that this same paradigm is reflected also in the glosses
of examples such as (6.31) from (Sánchez 1996).
(6.31) (a) [Hatun
big
runa]-ta...
man-acc
‘A/the big man’ (Sánchez 1996 (263) p.129)