2.2 The Generic Function of the Definite Article

(1). Generic singulars

1. Common Nouns. A generic singular is a sg noun with the definite article representing a whole class of objects → becomes a composite image of the class.

• The violet is a lovely flower.

• The cuckoo is a lazy bird.

• To the philosopher, language may be an instrument of thought, to the psychologist, a cloudy window through which he glimpses the workings of his mind, to the sociologist, a form of behavior, to the engineer, a series of physical events, to the linguist, a system of arbitrary signs.

В этом случае употребляются конкретные существительные, называющие виды животных, растений и т.п (Ср. с Note 2.)

Exception: The words man, woman, child when used generically:

man - X

He had suffered everything that __ man can endure.

Woman – X / the

__ Woman is man's helpmate.

He had always been interested in that mysterious being – the woman.

Note 1. Plural nouns = generic singular (irrespective whether it's parallel to a sg noun with a/the)

• Violets are lovely flowers.

• Airplanes have made the world a small place.

• Flowers are beautiful decorations.

Note 2. Sometimes we use A when any typical representative of the class but not a composite image of that class is meant (более абстрактные, обобщенные существительные):

A violet is a lovely flower (any representative of the class)

A book makes a good present.

A passenger is allowed to take 20 kg of hand luggage free of charge.

2. Collective nouns = THE implies the idea of collectivity (used with social groups, classes):

the proletariat the aristocracy the clergy the police

the peasantry the nobility the intelligentsia

the bourgeoisie the gentry the public

!!! Restrictions on the use of nouns in generic function

Generic sg are restricted in two ways:

1) a semantically limited group of nouns appear to be used generically

• names of animals;

• plants;

• professions, occupations;

• man, woman, child;

• collective nouns denoting social groups

• scientific terms – the square, the noun, the Future Indefinite Tense

2) stylistic restriction characteristic of scientific / literary prose (where there's a need for generalization). Here usually refer abstract notions, philosophical categories etc. the English soul, to go down the drain.

She learned entirely by the eye.

(2) Generic plurals

The use is lexically restricted – here belong only 2 groups of nouns (only when the idea of collectivity is definitely emphasized). THE denotes the whole body of sth.:

1. names of nationalities: the Russians, the Germans, the Italians, the Americans;

2. representatives of political parties, classes, social groups, religious, beliefs, etc.: the peasants, the workers, the Tories, the aristocrats, the Impressionists, the Catholics.

X (denotes not the whole body but separate representatives)

His wife had friends among left-wing people and ___ liberals.

Note !

The noun people is used with THE when the idea of collectivity is emphasized:

The people in the village liked the new doctor.

But! (All) People are selfish (no idea of collectivity).

(3). Substantivized Adjectives

1. Common adjectives: the blind, the poor, the rich, the young, the old.

The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

2. Some nationalities: the British, the French, the Chinese, the Japanese.

The British are a nation of newspaper readers.

When not the whole body but separate representatives are meant:

The + adj + noun

The young are often intolerant.

But! Young men can't help making fools of themselves.

The old are often helpless.

But! The old woman was helpless.

The + adj + ones = generic force

The little ones know a good man from a bad one.