Explanation
Linguistic reference to kinds or typical patterns rather than to individual concrete instances. A sentence can refer to a kind without asserting every member or a statistical majority.
Example
“Tigers are striped” is generic, even though not every single animal is considered.
Counterexample
“These three tigers are striped” refers to specific individuals.
Distinction
Distinguishing from reference: “These three tigers are striped” refers to specific individuals.
Effect on thought and perception
A sentence can speak of a class without asserting every member or a statistical majority.
Resonance
Genericity renders a directed relationship perceptible: a sentence can speak about a genus without asserting every member or a statistical majority.
Cite this entry
Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Genericity“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-133-018. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-133-018The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. A verified modification date per entry is not yet available. Include your access date for precise references.