Article published in:
The Categorization of Spatial Entities in Language and CognitionEdited by Michel Aurnague, Maya Hickmann † and Laure Vieu
[Human Cognitive Processing 20] 2007
► pp. 93–121
The linguistic categorization of spatial entities
Classifiers and other nominal classification systems
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
https://doi.org/10.1075/hcp.20.07gri
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