Baten, batetan/batean izen-syntagma mugagabeak

Abstract

This article, which is a reply to Ibon Sarasola's «Bat mugatua eta mugagabea literatur tradizioan», tries to throw light on the question of undetermined noun phrases in Basque, which from a grammar number point of view are neither singular nor plural, as there is not such concept in words; this has to be expressed through the article or other determiners. Such groups, besides, when used in a negative sentence without an adjective, express absolute negation. They may be used in negative or affirmative conditional protasis, in interrogative, negative or affirmative sentences, etc .... with restrictions in absolute affirmative sentences except when these are expressive. Such noun phrases are not collective either. There are certain determiners to express this concept. We also criticise the abusive standardization of the language through norms.