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Chapter 3. Nominal classification in Assamese

An analysis of function
  • Pori Saikia and Marc Allassonnière-Tang
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Nominal Classification in Asia and Oceania
This chapter is in the book Nominal Classification in Asia and Oceania

Abstract

We provide an analysis of the classifier system in Assamese (Indo-European) via the framework of functional typology. Assamese is located at the border of Indo-European and Sino-Tibetan language families, which are typically associated with grammatical gender and classifiers, respectively. Assamese represents an insightful example of an Indo-European language relying on classifiers rather than grammatical gender to fulfill the functions typical for a nominal classification system. Our analysis shows that classifiers in Assamese behave similarly to other classifier languages in terms of lexical and discourse functions, except for the functions of definiteness marking and individuation. The implications of such findings are connected to typology, research in human cognition, and language contact.

Abstract

We provide an analysis of the classifier system in Assamese (Indo-European) via the framework of functional typology. Assamese is located at the border of Indo-European and Sino-Tibetan language families, which are typically associated with grammatical gender and classifiers, respectively. Assamese represents an insightful example of an Indo-European language relying on classifiers rather than grammatical gender to fulfill the functions typical for a nominal classification system. Our analysis shows that classifiers in Assamese behave similarly to other classifier languages in terms of lexical and discourse functions, except for the functions of definiteness marking and individuation. The implications of such findings are connected to typology, research in human cognition, and language contact.

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.362.03sai

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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