%0 Journal Article %A Chrisomalis, Stephen %T Constraint, cognition, and written numeration %D 2013 %J Pragmatics & Cognition %V 21 %N 3 %P 552-572 %@ 0929-0907 %R https://doi.org/10.1075/pc.21.3.08chr %K constraints %K number systems %K writing %K cognitive anthropology %K numerals %I John Benjamins %X The world’s diverse written numeral systems are affected by human cognition; in turn, written numeral systems affect mathematical cognition in social environments. The present study investigates the constraints on graphic numerical notation, treating it neither as a byproduct of lexical numeration, nor a mere adjunct to writing, but as a specific written modality with its own cognitive properties. Constraints do not refute the notion of infinite cultural variability; rather, they recognize the infinity of variability within defined limits, thus transcending the universalist/particularist dichotomy. In place of strictly innatist perspectives on mathematical cognition, a model is proposed that invokes domain-specific and notationally-specific constraints to explain patterns in numerical notations. The analysis of exceptions to cross-cultural generalizations makes the study of near-universals highly productive theoretically. The cross-cultural study of patterns in written numbers thus provides a rich complement to the cognitive analysis of writing systems. %U https://www.jbe-platform.com/content/journals/10.1075/pc.21.3.08chr