Conveying specificity

[david-us.livejournal.com]

How would a Russian say, "Do you have a dictionary?"

The context of the question is that you have unexpectedly run across a word you need to look up - so you are asking somebody if they have a dictionary, any dictionary. The emphasis is whether they even have one.

Would it be "У тебя есть словарь?"

Now, let's say you have been sharing a dictionary with another student. You have both been using it. You need it again but you can't find it. You ask the person "Do you have the dictionary?"

The context of the question is that there is a clear understanding that there is a dictionary. You even know which dictionary you're talking about. You're simply wondering if they have that dictionary.

Again, would it be "У тебя есть словарь?"

If so, then how do Russians convey the idea of specificity with regards to such questions as we can in English?

David Emerling
Memphis, TN

Comments

[grokinn.livejournal.com]

>Does this resolve the ambiguity of specificity regarding "a dictionary" or "the dictionary"?
yes

in the question "У тебя есть словарь?" main word (the thing about somebody asking) "есть". somebody need to know if have or haven't another person any dictionary
in the question "У тебя словарь?" main word "у тебя". somebody need to know is the dictionary in second person hands (not in hands literally but I hope you understood)