Nominal Classification in Asia and Oceania: Functional and diachronic perspectives

Linguists have long studied nominal classification systems, focusing on their functions, cognitive and cultural correlates. This volume explores gender and classifiers in Asian languages from various families, revealing complex patterns in their lexical and pragmatic functions and origins.

Format: Hardback
Length: 251 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: John Benjamins Publishing Co

Linguists have been captivated by the study of nominal classification systems for centuries, owing to their multifaceted roles and profound cognitive and cultural connections. Ongoing research has delved into the intricate properties of complex systems, such as the co-occurrence of gender and numeral classifiers, shedding light on their semantic, functional, and morphosyntactic characteristics. While previous studies have primarily focused on languages in north-western South America and Papua New Guinea, this volume aims to bridge a gap in existing research by exploring the realm of Asia. Through a series of case studies drawn from diverse linguistic families, including Austroasiatic, Austronesian, Dravidian, Hmong-Mien, Indo-European, Mongolic, Sino-Tibetan, and Tai-Kadai, as well as the language isolate Nivkh, the volume offers a comprehensive examination of gender and classifiers in these languages. By adopting a multi-perspective approach, encompassing functional, typological, and diachronic dimensions, the book uncovers intricate patterns in the lexical and pragmatic functions of gender and classifiers, as well as their historical origins, development, and eventual loss. This unique and innovative contribution to the field of linguistics provides valuable insights into the complexities of language structure and usage.

Linguists have long been intrigued by the study of nominal classification systems due to their diverse functions and cognitive and cultural correlations. Ongoing research has focused on the semantic, functional, and morphosyntactic properties of complex systems, such as the co-occurrence of gender and numeral classifiers. While previous studies have primarily concentrated on languages in north-western South America and Papua New Guinea, this volume aims to bridge a gap in existing research by exploring the realm of Asia. Through a series of case studies drawn from diverse linguistic families, including Austroasiatic, Austronesian, Dravidian, Hmong-Mien, Indo-European, Mongolic, Sino-Tibetan, and Tai-Kadai, as well as the language isolate Nivkh, the volume offers a comprehensive examination of gender and classifiers in these languages. By adopting a multi-perspective approach, encompassing functional, typological, and diachronic dimensions, the book uncovers intricate patterns in the lexical and pragmatic functions of gender and classifiers, as well as their historical origins, development, and eventual loss. This unique and innovative contribution to the field of linguistics provides valuable insights into the complexities of language structure and usage.

Weight: 610g
ISBN-13: 9789027214379