pluralthe

Pluralthe is a term used in linguistic typology to describe a determiner system in which a distinct plural definite article or determiner marks plurality on noun phrases. It is not a single language feature but a theoretical label for analyses in which number is encoded primarily through the determiner rather than through the noun, when the noun form remains unmarked. Pluralthe can co-occur with other number-marking strategies, such as adjectives or numerals, or operate independently.

Origin and scope: The term pluralthe was proposed in academic discussions of determiner systems to distinguish languages where pluralization of the definite determiner is the primary cue to a plural referent. It is used mainly in cross-linguistic typology and theoretical syntax discussions, and is not widely attested as a cross-linguistic universal. Researchers use it as a convenient shorthand for a subset of languages in which the determiner carries plural information.

Morphology and syntax: In pluralthe systems, the determiner itself carries plural meaning and may appear as a distinct word or clitic positioned before the noun. The noun form may be invariant for number, or may also bear agreement. The adjective may agree in number with the determiner or not, depending on the language.

Example: In a hypothetical language, pluralthe cat would mean "the cats," while plain the cat would mean "the cat." The phrase pluralthe big cat would mean "the big cats," showing that pluralthe interacts with adjectives.

Relation to other concepts: It relates to determiner systems, definite articles, and noun-number marking. Some scholars compare pluralthe to plural determiner systems in languages with postposed articles or with determiner-based plural marking.