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Chapter 2. The system of classifiers in Kilivila

The role of these formatives and their functions
  • Gunter Senft
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Nominal Classification in Asia and Oceania
This chapter is in the book Nominal Classification in Asia and Oceania

Abstract

This paper presents the complex system of classifiers in Kilivila, the language of the Trobriand Islanders of Papua New Guinea. After a brief introduction to the language and its speakers, the classifier system is briefly described with respect to the role of these formatives for the word formation of Kilivila numerals, adjectives, demonstratives and one form of an interrogative pronoun/adverb. Then the functions the classifier system fulfils with respect to concord, temporary classification, the unitizing of nominal expressions, nominalization, indication of plural, anaphoric reference as well as text and discourse coherence are discussed and illustrated. The paper ends with some language specific and cross-linguistic questions for further research.

Abstract

This paper presents the complex system of classifiers in Kilivila, the language of the Trobriand Islanders of Papua New Guinea. After a brief introduction to the language and its speakers, the classifier system is briefly described with respect to the role of these formatives for the word formation of Kilivila numerals, adjectives, demonstratives and one form of an interrogative pronoun/adverb. Then the functions the classifier system fulfils with respect to concord, temporary classification, the unitizing of nominal expressions, nominalization, indication of plural, anaphoric reference as well as text and discourse coherence are discussed and illustrated. The paper ends with some language specific and cross-linguistic questions for further research.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Preface vii
  4. List of abbreviations ix
  5. Chapter 1. Introduction 1
  6. Part 1. Functions of classifiers
  7. Chapter 2. The system of classifiers in Kilivila 10
  8. Chapter 3. Nominal classification in Assamese 30
  9. Part 2. Diachrony of nominal classification systems
  10. Chapter 4. Gender marking in Shumcho 58
  11. Chapter 5. A single origin of numeral classifiers in Asia and the Pacific 113
  12. Chapter 6. Contact-induced reduction, loss, and emergence of numeral classifiers 161
  13. Chapter 7. Gender, classifiers, and diachrony in Khasian 200
  14. Chapter 8. Concluding discussion 226
  15. Index of subjects and terms 241
  16. Index of biographical names 245
  17. Index of languages, dialects and language families 249
https://doi.org/10.1075/cilt.362.02sen

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Preface vii
  4. List of abbreviations ix
  5. Chapter 1. Introduction 1
  6. Part 1. Functions of classifiers
  7. Chapter 2. The system of classifiers in Kilivila 10
  8. Chapter 3. Nominal classification in Assamese 30
  9. Part 2. Diachrony of nominal classification systems
  10. Chapter 4. Gender marking in Shumcho 58
  11. Chapter 5. A single origin of numeral classifiers in Asia and the Pacific 113
  12. Chapter 6. Contact-induced reduction, loss, and emergence of numeral classifiers 161
  13. Chapter 7. Gender, classifiers, and diachrony in Khasian 200
  14. Chapter 8. Concluding discussion 226
  15. Index of subjects and terms 241
  16. Index of biographical names 245
  17. Index of languages, dialects and language families 249
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