1887
Volume 3, Issue 2
  • ISSN 2665-9336
  • E-ISSN: 2665-9344
USD
Buy:$35.00 + Taxes

Abstract

Abstract

This paper is a typological exploration of the nominal classification systems found in the Austronesian languages of Taiwan, with special focus on their meanings, forms and functions within the Austronesian typological context. Based on Aikhenvald’s defining properties and classifications of classifiers (2000201720192021forthcoming), the Austronesian languages of Taiwan investigated in this study display a set of relatively small classifier systems consisting of numeral classifiers and other classifier-like terms, such as measure words and verbal action classifiers. Numeral classifiers can be free or bound morphemes. The choice of a numeral classifier is based on the semantic features of a noun referent, mostly involving ‘humanness’. Though not every referent has to be assigned to a numeral classifier, numeral classifiers always accompany numerals. In these languages, none of them have numeral classifiers without presupposing the presence of sortal classifiers.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1075/alal.22017.pan
2023-01-26
2024-10-05
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Aikhenvald, Alexandra Y.
    2000Classifiers: A Typology of Noun Categorization Devices. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. 2017 A typology of noun categorization devices. InThe Cambridge Handbook of Linguistic Typology, edited byAlexandra Aikhenvald and R. M. W. Dixon, 361–404. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. 10.1017/9781316135716.012
    https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316135716.012 [Google Scholar]
  3. 2019 Noun categorization devices: A cross-linguistic perspective. InAlexandra Aikhenvald and Elena I. Mihas (eds.), Gender and Classifiers: A Cross-Linguistic Typology, 1–29. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 10.1093/oso/9780198842019.003.0001
    https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198842019.003.0001 [Google Scholar]
  4. 2021 One of a Kind: On the Utility of Specific Classifiers. Cognitive Semantics 2021(7): 232–257. 10.1163/23526416‑07020001
    https://doi.org/10.1163/23526416-07020001 [Google Scholar]
  5. Forthcoming. A Guide to Gender and Classifiers. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Blust, Robert
    2003Thao Dictionary. Language and Linguistics Monograph Series, A5. Taipei: Institute of Linguistics, Academia Sinica.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. 2013The Austronesian languages. Canberra: Australian National University.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Chang, Hsiou-chuan
    2006 A Reference Grammar of Paiwan. The Australian National University: PhD dissertation.
  9. Dixon, R. M. W.
    2010Basic Linguistic Theory: Volume Two. Grammatical Topics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Li, Paul Jen-kuei
    2006 Numerals in Formosan Languages. Oceanic Linguistics451:133–152. 10.1353/ol.2006.0014
    https://doi.org/10.1353/ol.2006.0014 [Google Scholar]
  11. 2021 Adverbs in the Austronesian Languages of Taiwan. Asian Languages and Linguistics2.1:80–109. 10.1075/alal.20041.li
    https://doi.org/10.1075/alal.20041.li [Google Scholar]
  12. Pan, Chia-jung
    2012 A Grammar of Lha’alua, an Austronesian Language of Taiwan. James Cook University: PhD dissertation.
  13. Ross, Malcom
    2009 Proto Austronesian verbal morphology: A reappraisal. InAdelaar, Alexander & Andrew Pawley (eds.), Austronesian Historical Linguistics and Culture History: A Festschrift for Robert Blust, 295–326. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics.
    [Google Scholar]
  14. Ross, Malcolm
    . Forthcoming. Counting: Numerals and numeral classifiers. InMalcolm Ross, Andrew Pawley & Meredith Osmond eds. The Lexicon of Proto Oceanic, vol. 6, Society. Canberra: Asia-Pacific Linguistics.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. Teng, Stacy Fang-Ching
    2008A Reference Grammar of Puyuma, an Austronesian Language of Taiwan. Pacific Linguistics. Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies. Canberra: The Australian National University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. Zeitoun, Elizabeth
    2007A Grammar of Mantauran (Rukai). Taipei: Institute of Linguistics, Academia Sinica.
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Zeitoun, Elizabeth & Stacy F. Teng
    2016 Reassessing the position of Kanakanavu and Saaroa among the Formosan languages. Oceanic linguistics, vol.55.1, 162–198. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press. 10.1353/ol.2016.0001
    https://doi.org/10.1353/ol.2016.0001 [Google Scholar]
  18. Zeitoun, Elizabeth and Tai-hwa Chu
    2015A Study of Saisiyat Morphology. Oceanic Linguistics Special Publications No. 40. Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press.
    [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1075/alal.22017.pan
Loading
/content/journals/10.1075/alal.22017.pan
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article
Keyword(s): Austronesian; classifier; measure word; numeral classifier; verbal action classifier
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was successful
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error