Noun Classes and Categorization
Proceedings of a symposium on categorization and noun classification, Eugene, Oregon, October 1983
Editor
Paperback – Other edition available
ISBN 9789027228734 (Eur)
ISBN 9780915027347 (USA)
This volume is about the nature of categories in cognition and the relevance of these in language description, especially classifier systems. The classical view of categories was that they were discrete and based upon clusters of properties which were inherent to the entities. In recent years this conception has been challenged in different fields. By now prototype theory has established itself as one of the main approaches in linguistics. This volume brings classifier systems to the attention of cognitive psychologists dealing with the phenomenon of human categorization. For the general linguist it shows what can be learned from classifier systems into any theory on the nature of language organization, it will challenge some of the most entrenched notions in the field of linguistics, notions of what language is made of and how it functions.
[Typological Studies in Language, 7] 1986. vii, 481 pp.
Publishing status: Available
© John Benjamins Publishing Company
Table of Contents
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Preface | p. vii
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Introduction | p. 1
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I. On Categorization
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Classifiers as a Reflection of MindGeorge Lakoff | p. 13
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Empirical Studies of PrototypesMichael I. Posner | p. 53
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Components and CategorizationBarbara Tversky | p. 63
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Prototypes: Between Plato and WittgensteinT. Givón | p. 77
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II. Typological Variation of Classifier Systems
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Noun Classes and Noun Classification in Typological PerspectiveR.M.W. Dixon | p. 105
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Noun Classification in YaguaDoris L. Payne | p. 113
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Graphemic classifiers in Egyptian Hieroglyphics and Mesopotamian CuneiformNoel Rude | p. 133
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Gender and Folk Taxonomy: The Indexical Relation Between Grammatical and Lexical CategorizationDavid A. Zubin and Klaus-Michael Köpcke | p. 139
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The Classifier System in American Sign LanguageTed Suppalla | p. 181
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III. Semantic Features of Classifiers
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The Semantics of Noun Classes in Proto BantuJ. Peter Denny and Chet A. Creider | p. 217
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Numeral Classifiers in AustroasiaticKaren L. Adams | p. 241
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Jacaltec Noun Classifiers: A Study in Language and CultureColette G. Craig | p. 263
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IV. Semantic and Pragmatic Functions of Classifiers
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The Semantic Role of Noun ClassifiersJ. Peter Denny | p. 297
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Some Discourse Functions of Classifiers in MalayPaul J. Hopper | p. 309
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The Figure a Classifier Makes: Describing a Particular Burmese ClassifierA.J. Becker | p. 327
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The Anaphoric Use of Classifiers in JapanesePamela A. Downing | p. 345
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V. History and Acquisition of Classifier Systems
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The Convergence of Noun Classification SystemsMarianne Mithun | p. 379
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Taking Stock: The Development of Chinese Noun Classifiers Historically and in Young ChildrenMary S. Erbaugh | p. 399
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Toward a History of Tai Classifier SystemsScott DeLancey | p. 437
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Niger-Congo noun class and agreement systems in language acquisition and historical changeKatherine Demuth, Nicholas Faraclas and Lynell Marchese | p. 453
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Language Index | p. 473
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List of Contributors | p. 479