Gender and classifiers in concurrent systems: Refining the typology of nominal classification

Abstract

Some languages have both gender and classifiers, contrary to what was once believed possible. We use these interesting languages as a unique window onto nominal classification. They provide the impetus for a new typology, based on the degree of orthogonality of the semantic systems and the degree of difference of the forms realizing them. This nine-way typology integrates traditional gender, traditional classifiers and – importantly – the many recently attested phenomena lying between. Besides progress specifically in understanding nominal classification, our approach provides clarity on the wider theoretical issue of single versus concurrent featural systems.

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canonical typology, classifiers, concurrent systems, gender

How to Cite

Fedden, S. & Corbett, G., (2017) “Gender and classifiers in concurrent systems: Refining the typology of nominal classification”, Glossa: a journal of general linguistics 2(1): 34. doi: https://doi.org/10.5334/gjgl.177

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Sebastian Fedden (Université Sorbonne-Nouvelle (Paris III), FR; The University of Sydney, AU; and University of Surrey)
Greville G. Corbett orcid logo (University of Surrey)

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