Numeral classifiers and diversity of classifier systems

What Counts in the Acquisition and Attrition of Numeral Classifiers?

JALT Journal - JALT Journal 24.1 ◽

10.37546/jaltjj23.1-5 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 90 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Keyword(s):

Second Language ◽

Adult Learners ◽

East Asia ◽

Classifier Systems ◽

Numeral Classifiers ◽

Acquisition Sequence ◽

English Speaking ◽

Numeral Classifier

This study compares second language (12) acquisition and attrition sequences of the syntax and semantics of numeral classifier systems in light of considerations of markedness, frequency, and the regression hypothesis. In classifier data elicited from English-speaking adult learners and attriters of two East Asia languages, Japanese and Chinese, we find in the attrition of both languages, in both syntax and semantics, a regression of the acquisition sequence. An implicational semantic scale, the Numeral Classifer Accessibility Hierarchy, cOinciding closely with the relative frequencies of the classifiers in input, appears to provide a path of least resistance for the learning and the loss of the semantic systems.

Download Full-text

Genders and Classifiers

10.1093/oso/9780198842019.001.0001 ◽

2019 ◽

Keyword(s):

South America ◽

Wide Spread ◽

Classifier Systems ◽

Numeral Classifiers ◽

Number Words ◽

Cultural Aspects ◽

Verbal Classifiers ◽

And Function ◽

Semantic Properties ◽

High Diversity

Every language has some means of categorizing objects into humans, or animates, or by their shape, form, size, and function. The most wide-spread are linguistic genders—grammatical classes of nouns based on core semantic properties such as sex (female and male), animacy, humanness, and also shape and size. Classifiers of several types also serve to categorize entities. Numeral classifiers occur with number words, possessive classifiers appear in the expressions of possession, and verbal classifiers are used on a verb, categorizing its argument. Genders and classifiers of varied types can occur together. Their meanings reflect beliefs and traditions, and in many ways mirror the ways in which speakers view the ever-changing reality. This volume elaborates on the expression, usage, history, and meanings of noun categorization devices, exploring their various facets across the languages of South America and Asia, known for the diversity of their noun categorization. The volume starts with a typological introduction outlining the types of noun categorization devices, their expression, scope, and functions, in addition to the socio-cultural aspects of their use, and their development. It is followed by revised versions of eight papers focussing on gender and classifier systems in two areas of high diversity—South America (with a focus on Amazonia) and Asia.

Download Full-text

Classifier systems or noun categorization devices in Burmese

Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society ◽

10.3765/bls.v28i1.1059 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alice Vittrant

Keyword(s):

Classifier Systems ◽

Numeral Classifiers ◽

Classifier System ◽

Numeral Classifier

This article will deal with noun categorization devices in Burmese, including the well-known numeral classifier system. It will start by a brief review of typological studies on classifiers, before focusing on the studies done especially on Burmese classifiers. Then, in a second section I will present a summary of the features and functions of NUMERAL classifiers in this language, before taking up the question of another noun classification or noun categorization device.

Download Full-text

Numeral Classifiers in Udi: A Unique Contact-Induced Development among Nakh-Daghestanian?

Journal of Language Contact ◽

10.1163/19552629-14020004 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 330-367

Author(s):

Timur Maisak

Keyword(s):

Noun Phrase ◽

Classifier Systems ◽

Semitic Languages ◽

Numeral Classifiers ◽

Classifier System ◽

The Family

Abstract Following Stilo’s (2018) study of small-inventory classifier systems in a number of Indo-European, Turkic, Kartvelian and Semitic languages of the Araxes-Iran Linguistic Area, the paper presents an account of numeral classifiers in Udi, a Nakh-Daghestanian (Lezgic) language spoken in northern Azerbaijan. Being a peripheral member of the linguistic area in question, Udi possesses an even more reduced version of a small-classifier system, comprising one optional classifier dänä (Iranian borrowing, most likely via Azerbaijani) used with both human and inanimate nouns. A dedicated classifier for humans is lacking, although there is a word tan (also of Iranian origin) only used after numerals or quantifiers, but predominantly as a noun phrase head. The behaviour of dänä and tan is scrutinized, according to a set of parameters, in both spoken and written textual corpora of the Nizh dialect of Udi. Drawing in the data from the related Nakh-Daghestanian languages, the paper shows that among the languages of the family Udi may be unique in possessing classifiers (albeit as a result of contact), Khinalug possibly being the only other exception.

Download Full-text

Comparative Study of Newar And Japanese Classifiers

Tribhuvan University Journal ◽

10.3126/tuj.v27i1-2.26348 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 27 (1-2) ◽

pp. 7-16

Author(s):

Arun Shrestha

Keyword(s):

Detailed Comparison ◽

Head Noun ◽

Official Language ◽

Lexical Selection ◽

Classifier Systems ◽

Numeral Classifiers ◽

Classifier Selection ◽

Morphological Selection ◽

Numeral Classifier ◽

Semantic Parameters

This paper compares and contrasts the numeral classifier systems of two genetically unrelated languages: Newar of Kathmandu and “Hyoujungo”, Japanese spoken in Tokyo, the defacto official language of Japan. It is not the case either in Newar or in Japanese that nouns in general can be directly quantified by a number. For example, in Newar one cannot say*ni che two house ‘Two houses” for ‘two houses’. Rather, one must say ni-khache ‘two-CL house” Two houses” .The noun che ‘house’ requires that the numeral classifier -kha be affixed to numerals used for counting houses. One might say that che ‘house’ is not conceived of as a separate countable entity. Only when the unit -kha ‘CL’ is suffixed to the number do we have a countable entity. Numeral classifiers: The choice of noun determines the choice of classifier both in Newari and in Japanese. By looking at the nouns associated with a given classifier it is possible to identify the way in which a noun selects its classifier. In Newar there are three different ways in which nouns select their classifiers (1) according to semantic parameters (as when sentient nouns select the classifier -mha, (2) by unique lexical collocation (as when che ‘house’ selects -kha ‘CL’) and (3) by full or partial reduplication (as when ha: ‘leaf’ selects thehead noun ha: itself, where as salakhwa: ‘horse’s hoof’ selects -khwa:, only thelatter portion of the head noun (Hale 2005).These modes can be taken as the basis for a three-term typology of classifier selection: (1) semantic selection, (2) lexical selection, and (3)morphological selection. This paper provides a detailed comparison of Newar and Japanese classifiers within each of these three types of selection. Though all three types are attested in each language, there are mutual counterparts and skewing between the two languages.

Download Full-text