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Language and Linguistics
Vol. 25:2 (2024) ► pp.270–317

Sortal classifiers and noun categorization in Zauzou

| Wuhan University
This paper investigates the sortal classifier system in Zauzou, a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Southwest China. Three etymological subclasses – repeater, non-repeater, and quasi-repeaters – are identified in two morphosyntactic contexts: the bare classifier phrase [n+clf] and the full noun phrase [n+mod+clf], serving as an “individualizer” that transforms unindividualized nominal concepts into referential individuals. The three types of classifiers classify nouns on the basis of different semantic parameters that differ in terms of semantic contrastiveness. Animacy, shape, size, rigidity and quanta are non-contrastive semantic parameters commonly found among non-repeaters. Repeaters and quasi-repeaters categorize nouns primarily on the basis of semantically contrastive taxonomy, meronomy, or arrangement. With respect to the function of quantification, repeaters, quasi-repeaters, and non-repeaters are identical in [n+mod+clf] but diverge in [n+clf]. They do not uniformly render the singular interpretation with all kinds of referents in [n+clf]. Non-repeaters are more grammaticalized classifiers than (quasi-)repeaters. The Zauzou data provide evidence for the development from repeaters to non-repeaters, on a par with the commonly recognized grammaticalization path from nouns to classifiers, which is conditioned by two types of “parameter shift”. This study offers a descriptive model that effectively captures the relationship between semantic-functional properties of sortal classifiers and their historical development in “repeater” languages.
Keywords: Tibeto-Burman, noun categorization, sortal classifier, repeater, non-repeater, quantification
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction: Language overview
  • 2.The classifier system in Zauzou
  • 3.Semantics of Zauzou sortal classifiers
    • 3.1Nominal classification by non-repeaters
      • 3.1.1Human: Ja53 ‘clf:human’
      • 3.1.2Animals: ʔõ55 ‘clf:small_animals’ and kõ55 ‘clf:big_animals’
      • 3.1.3Inanimate/small round object: L 31 ‘clf:inani’
      • 3.1.4Shape and rigidity
      • 3.1.5Quanta
    • 3.2Nominal classification by repeaters
      • 3.2.1Full repeaters
      • 3.2.2Partial repeaters: Monomorphemic nouns
      • 3.2.3Partial repeaters: Classificatory repeaters
      • 3.2.4Partial repeaters: Meronomical repeaters
    • 3.3Nominal classification by quasi-repeaters
      • 3.3.1Function and ethnobiology
      • 3.3.2Arrangement repeaters
  • 4.Morphosyntactic contexts and functions of Zauzou sortal classifiers
    • 4.1[n+clf]
    • 4.2[n+mod+clf]
      • 4.2.1Numeral phrase
      • 4.2.2Demonstrative phrase
      • 4.2.3Possessive phrase
  • 5.Discussion: The development from repeaters to non-repeaters
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
Available under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 license.

For any use beyond this license, please contact the publisher at [email protected].

Published online: 2 April 2024
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/lali.00155.li
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