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Word Classes: Nature, typology and representations
Edited by Raffaele Simone and Francesca Masini
[Current Issues in Linguistic Theory 332] 2014
► pp. 161–180

Cardinal numerals

A syntax-semantics interface analysis

ORCID logo | Università degli Studi di Napoli “L’Orientale”
| Università degli Studi di Napoli “L’Orientale”

While constituting a semantically homogeneous class, cardinal numerals cross-linguistically display a rich variety of morphosyntactic properties. An approach to such variation, with the aim of identifying a limited range of morphosyntactic statuses to which these properties are related, has been taken through the application of the Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) descriptive-interpretive model. Among the different statuses are those prototypically held by major categories, like nouns and verbs. However, the non-alignment hypothesis within RRG, according to which ontological, lexical and syntactic categories do not necessarily overlap, allows the occurrence of numerals as nucleus of a reference phrase, or nucleus of a clause, to be accounted for. While pointing out elements of similarity in the morphosyntax of numerals and other word classes, the analysis highlights crucial divergences between numerals and adjectives, a word class numerals are frequently equated to in the literature. The languages mentioned here belong to diverse typological and genetic groupings.

Published online: 24 September 2014
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/cilt.332.09pan
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