Startseite The typology of Pamean number systems and the limits of Mesoamerica as a linguistic area
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The typology of Pamean number systems and the limits of Mesoamerica as a linguistic area

  • Heriberto Avelino EMAIL logo
Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 26. Oktober 2006
Linguistic Typology
Aus der Zeitschrift Band 10 Heft 1

Abstract

Pamean languages have been considered to be outside of the Mesoamerican linguistic area. However, the number systems of Pamean show typical Mesoamerican structures: order of constituents Multiplier-Base-Addend, and systems with bases 10 and 20. Pamean languages have a typologically unusual, but consistent base 8. The present study presents a formal characterization of Pamean number systems. The distribution and peculiarities of Pamean number systems are explained as a result of their location at the border of a major linguistic area. Northern Pame has 8 as the only productive base, whereas Central Pame and Southern Pame show a greater influence of Mesoamerican traits.


*Correspondence address:Department of Linguistics, University of California at Berkeley, 1203 Dwinelle Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-2650, U.S.A.

Received: 2004-10-05
Revised: 2005-09-26
Published Online: 2006-10-26
Published in Print: 2006-07-01

© Walter de Gruyter

Heruntergeladen am 8.9.2025 von https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/LINGTY.2006.002/html
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