Two plant-based numeral classifiers in Nuristani languages
Grain and branch
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22021661 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Iren Hegedus (0000-0003-0522-089X, University of Pecs, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue | 1-2 |
| Pages | 69-95 |
| Publication date | 2022-09-27 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of South Asian Languages and Linguistics (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2196-0771 • E-ISSN: 2196-078X |
| Publisher | Walter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1515/jsall-2023-1001 |
| OpenAlex | W4319311330 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 15 |
This study demonstrates that – contrary to common belief – classifiers occur in Nuristani languages even if their use is not obligatory. The detailed description of two numeral classifiers ( grain and branch ) shows that Nuristani languages conform to the general pattern of grammaticalizing nouns referring to plants or their parts as classifiers. The Nuristani system of nominal number marking in the direct case appears to be in harmony with the tendency that overt number marking on nouns is not obligatory in languages that use numeral classifiers. The two cases examined here are both shape-based sortal classifiers: the classifier grain occurs with items conceived of as small, round objects, while branch is used with items or phenomena that involve the perceptual schema of splitting, diverging. The lexical origin of these classifiers is transparent, and the emergence of the classifier function appears to be an innovation native to Nuristani
Linguistics · Machine learning · Natural language processing · Noun · Numeral system · Part of speech · Computer Science · Linguistic Variation and Morphology · Linguistics and language evolution · Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation · Artificial Intelligence
| Highly cited | No |
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