nominativeindefinite

Nominativeindefinite is a linguistic term used to describe patterns in which the indefiniteness of a noun phrase is associated with the nominative case in languages that mark nouns for case. The term is not standardized across grammars and is primarily found in typological discussions, theoretical works, or descriptions of constructed languages. It is often treated as a convenience label for phenomena where subject noun phrases convey indefiniteness without explicit articles or determiners.

In practical terms, nominativeindefinite can arise in articleless languages or in systems where definite and indefinite reference is not marked by a determiner. A bare nominative noun phrase in subject position may be interpreted as indefinite depending on discourse context, quantifiers, or other cues. Conversely, a corresponding definite form may require a determiner, a specific marking, or prior discourse referents. The distinction between definite and indefinite reference thus interacts with case, word order, and morphosyntactic marking in ways that can be captured under the nominativeindefinite label.

Cross-linguistic usage of nominativeindefinite is varied and often debated. Some grammarians view the notion as a useful shorthand for describing non-article systems where subject NPs carry indefinite reference, while others argue that indefiniteness is better analyzed through determiner systems or context rather than case alone. The concept highlights the broader relationship between case marking and reference, and it remains more common in discussions of niche languages and constructed linguistic frameworks than in mainstream descriptive grammars. See also: nominative case, indefiniteness, article.