The linguistic categorization of spatial entities

Classifiers and other nominal classification systems

Colette Grinevald

This chapter focuses on the classifier systems found around the world, with particular attention to Amerindian languages. It first proposes a typology of these systems that takes into account their different characteristics (morpho-syntactic, semantic, pragmatic. . .) and their dynamic dimensions (grammaticalization, age, productivity. . .). It then describes in more detail a sample of classifier systems (fromAmerica, Asia, Oceania. . .), shows some of their invariants and specificities, and relates them to other linguistic systems. The final part of the chapter presents a summary of the types of information that are conveyed by classifier systems and other nominal classification systems about spatial entities (e.g., spatial properties, perceptual modalities. . .) and examines, as well, the different encoding strategies that seem to be used across languages.

Published online: 18 April 2007
https://doi.org/10.1075/hcp.20.07gri

Cited by

Cited by other publications

Kemmerer, David

2017. Categories of object concepts across languages and brains: the relevance of nominal classification systems to cognitive neuroscience. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience 32:4 ► pp. 401 ff.

Kemmerer, David

2017. Some issues involving the relevance of nominal classification systems to cognitive neuroscience: response to commentators. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience 32:4 ► pp. 447 ff.

Seifart, Frank

2010. Nominal Classification. Language and Linguistics Compass 4:8 ► pp. 719 ff.

van der Voort, Hein

2018. In The Diachrony of Classification Systems [Current Issues in Linguistic Theory, 342], ► pp. 201 ff.

Vittrant, Alice

2019. Représentation d’un événement spatial, entre contraintes langagières et invariants typologiques. Langages N°214:2 ► pp. 59 ff.

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