Referential functions of the definite article in English and German

this article examines the referential functions of the definite article in Germanic languages, specifically German and English, where the article plays a key role in defining the relationship between a linguistic expression and the object it refers to. Articles help determine the degree of familiarity or uniqueness of the referenced object, particularly in clarifying the definiteness or indefiniteness of the object. The study identified both universal and specific features in the referential mechanism of the definite article in both languages. The main differences are due to the greater grammaticalization of the German article and lexical and phraseological features. It was established that complete functional overlap is observed in the use of the definite article in the sphere of situational (exophoric), anaphoric, and cataphoric reference. The key differences between these languages stem from the functions of the article, which are related to the case system, gender, and the specifics of its use in set and idiomatic expressions in German. The results of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanism of reference in Germanic languages and can find practical application in courses on theoretical grammar, linguistic typology, and in the teaching of English and German. This article will be of interest to undergraduate and graduate students studying English and German.

definite article, reference, anaphora, cataphora, unique referent, English, German, comparative linguistics