Chapter 6. Classifier noun phrases of the type N1N2 in Bulgarian

Petya Osenova | Sofia University

This chapter discusses classifier* noun phrases of the type Noun1 Noun2 (N1N2) in Bulgarian. The data analysis and the language-specific properties described show that the apposition-like relation between the two nouns is in fact a government relation. For that reason, within the framework of Head-driven Phrase Structure Grammar (HPSG) I consider classifier noun phrases to be phrases of type head–complement, where the first noun (N1) is the syntactic and semantic head, while the second (N2) is an argument, which, however, might be optional on the syntactic level. Three semantic subtypes are presented and discussed: measure – substance, container – contained, and form of grouping – grouped entities. The fine-grained distinctions among them are also made explicit within the ideas of qualia structure and the generative lexicon.

Published online: 19 June 2014
https://doi.org/10.1075/slcs.158.06ose

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