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Nominal Classification in Asia and Oceania: Functional and diachronic perspectives
Edited by Marc Allassonnière-Tang and Marcin Kilarski
[Current Issues in Linguistic Theory 362] 2023
► pp. 10–29

Chapter 2
The system of classifiers in Kilivila

The role of these formatives and their functions

| MPI for Psycholinguistics |
This paper presents the complex system of classifiers in Kilivila, the language of the Trobriand Islanders of Papua New Guinea. After a brief introduction to the language and its speakers, the classifier system is briefly described with respect to the role of these formatives for the word formation of Kilivila numerals, adjectives, demonstratives and one form of an interrogative pronoun/adverb. Then the functions the classifier system fulfils with respect to concord, temporary classification, the unitizing of nominal expressions, nominalization, indication of plural, anaphoric reference as well as text and discourse coherence are discussed and illustrated. The paper ends with some language specific and cross-linguistic questions for further research.
Keywords: Kilivila, Trobriand Islands, classifier system, functions
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The Trobriand Islanders and their language Kilivila
  • 3.Classificatory particles in Kilivila
  • 4.Referential function: Concord
  • 5.Temporary classification and the unitizing function of classifiers
  • 6.Nominalization, indicating plural, and verb-like expressive functions
  • 7.The anaphoric referential function of classifiers in Kilivila: Redundancy, ellipsis, and discourse coherence
  • 8.Summary
  • 9.Questions for further research
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 1 December 2023
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/cilt.362.02sen
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