Typology and evolution of cardinal numeral-noun constructions
To express the exact number of things, humans might be expected to use cardinal numeral-noun construction (CNNCs) consisting of just two constituents, namely a noun (N) representing the number of the quantified things and a cardinal numeral (Num) representing the number of the quantified things (for example, English <i>three sheep</i>). However, the structural patterns of CNNCs used in a number of languages spoken today have seemingly redundant constituents, typically non-singular markers (Nsg), and numeral classifiers (Clf). CNNCs observed in the worldâs languages also appear to show a diversity of structural patterns. This observation brings up two related goals of this thesis. The first is to reveal structural types of cardinal numerical-noun constructions of singularity (CNNCsg) and cultural numeral-noun constructions of non-singularity (CNNCn-sg). The other is to hypothesise a possible evolutionary scenario for CNNCs since their emergence until the modern era. This thesis approaches these issues by exploring CNNCs in 230 languages representing 100 language groups across the globe through reference grammars to ensure the greatest range of possible attested structural patterns of CNNCs. This survey demonstrates
Pothipath, Vipas
Typology and evolution of cardinal numeral-noun constructions. To express the exact number of things, humans might be expected to use cardinal numeral-noun construction (CNNCs) consisting of just two constituents, namely a noun (N) representing the number of the quantified things and a cardinal numeral (Num) representing the number of the quantified things (for example, English <i>three sheep</i>). However, the structural patterns of CNNCs used in a number of languages spoken today have seemingly redundant constituents, typically non-singular markers (Nsg), and numeral classifiers (Clf). CNNCs observed in the worldâs languages also appear to show a diversity of structural patterns. This observation brings up two related goals of this thesis. The first is to reveal structural types of cardinal numerical-noun constructions of singularity (CNNCsg) and cultural numeral-noun constructions of non-singularity (CNNCn-sg). The other is to hypothesise a possible evolutionary scenario for CNNCs since their emergence until the modern era. This thesis approaches these issues by exploring CNNCs in 230 languages representing 100 language groups across the globe through reference grammars to ensure the greatest range of possible attested structural patterns of CNNCs. This survey demonstrates
typology evolution cardinal numeral noun construction express exact number thing human might_expect use cardinal numeral noun construction consist_two constituent namely noun represent number quantify thing cardinal numeral num represent number quantify thing example sheep however structural pattern use number language_speak today seemingly redundant constituent typically non singular marker numeral classifier observe world language also_appear show diversity structural pattern observation bring two_related goal thesis first reveal structural type cardinal numerical noun construction singularity cultural numeral noun construction non singularity hypothesise possible evolutionary scenario since emergence_modern era approach issue explore language represent language group across globe reference grammar ensure great range possible attested structural pattern survey demonstrate