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definite articles - A query about the use of Generic Reference with nationalities


In English, generic reference takes three possible forms:


A. Cats are cute.

B. A cat is cute.

C. The cat is cute.

But the names of nationalities seem to me to make an exception to this rule. As far as I know, when referring to all the members of a nation, you can only use the C version: The Italians are musical, or The French are posh, or The British are cold.


Why is it that in this case only C is considered grammatically correct? If all the Italians, or all the French, or all the British are musical, posh, or cold, why can't we also say:


A. *Italians are... // *French are... // *British are...

or 

B. *An Italian is... // *A French is... /// *A British is...

?



Answer



I don’t agree with the premise. We can, with generic reference, say all of the following:



The Italians are musical, but the British excel in poetry.


Italians may be musical, but you can’t beat Germans for a good brass band.


The Italian is musical, where the Frenchman is artistic.


An Italian is musical, but a Spaniard is more passionate.


Your Italian is musical, but your Englishman prefers football.



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