Issue on articles

[Deepurple]

Hi, I would like to ask the reason why we say "the history of Ireland" but "Irish history" without the definite article. Thanks.

 

[ponocny]

I have found in a book:

the literature of the Middle Ages - medieval literature
the glass of Bohemia - Bohemian glass
the lakes of Finland - Finnish lakes

 

[TheParser]

Hi, I would like to ask the reason why we say "the history of Ireland" but "Irish history" without the definite article. Thanks.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Good morning, Deepurple.

(1) Great question.

(2) I recently read a letter in THE TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT that

might (MIGHT!) be a little (LITTLE!) helpful:

(a) The writer explained the difference between two book titles:

(i) THE Unpublished Works of X.

(a) "The" = ALL of the unpublished works of X.

(ii) Unpublished Works of X.

(a) = SOME of the unpublished works of X.

Have a nice day.