Происхождение и функции «опционального» артикля hin в фарерском языке

Известия РАН. Серия литературы и языка. 2026. № 3. С. 49–61.

Pimenova N., Satdarov K.

The article examines the emergence of a distinctive definiteness system in Faroese, featuring two free-standing definite “adjectival” articles, tann and hin. Unlike familiar systems that distinguish “weak” and “strong” definiteness through distinct forms, the distribution of tann and hin is typically attributed to register, with hin linked to formal usage and high style. Analysis of the Faroese Gospels reveals stable and variable contexts for both articles that solidified during the establishment of the written norm. Reconstructing their grammaticalization paths highlights the interplay among usage types. The consistent use of hin to mark newly introduced referents—under a presupposition of general familiarity (recognitional use) — and postpositive stock epithets continues its individualizing function. By contrast, hin is significantly restricted with abstract, collective, and generic readings. This marked status aligns with the contrastive-focal function of the pronoun hin. Overall, the properties of tann and hin reflect a complex distribution that evolved during the revitalization of the language’s historical genres.

Keywords: грамматикализация, grammaticalization, древнеисландский язык, definite article, определенный артикль, дискурсивные функции, исландский язык, Old Norse Language, discourse functions, фарерский язык, Faroese language, Icelandic language