Complexity in numeral systems with an investigation into pidgins and creoles
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Harald Hammarström
Abstract
This paper defines and surveys numeral systems from languages across the world. We define the complexity of a numeral system in some detail and give examples of varying complexity from different languages. The examples are chosen to illustrate the bounds on complexity that actually occur in natural languages and to delineate tricky issues of analysis. Then we contrast the complexity in numeral systems of pidgin/creole languages versus their lexifiers and versus languages generally in the world. It turns out that pidgins/creoles have slightly less complex numeral systems than their lexifiers, but probably still more complex than the world average. However, the conclusions in this respect are limited by gaps in documentation and unsystematic knowledge of the linguistic and social history of alleged pidgin/creole languages.
Abstract
This paper defines and surveys numeral systems from languages across the world. We define the complexity of a numeral system in some detail and give examples of varying complexity from different languages. The examples are chosen to illustrate the bounds on complexity that actually occur in natural languages and to delineate tricky issues of analysis. Then we contrast the complexity in numeral systems of pidgin/creole languages versus their lexifiers and versus languages generally in the world. It turns out that pidgins/creoles have slightly less complex numeral systems than their lexifiers, but probably still more complex than the world average. However, the conclusions in this respect are limited by gaps in documentation and unsystematic knowledge of the linguistic and social history of alleged pidgin/creole languages.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction: The problem of language complexity vii
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I. Typology and theory
- Complexity in linguistic theory, language learning and language change 3
- Grammatical complexity in cross-linguistic perspective 23
- Complexity trade-offs between the subsystems of language 43
- Complexity trade-offs in core argument marking 67
- Assessing linguistic complexity 89
- How complex are isolating languages? 109
- Complexity in isolating languages: Lexical elaboration versus grammatical economy 133
- Grammatical resources and linguistic complexity: Sirionó as a language without NP coordination 153
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II. Contact and change
- Why does a language undress? Strange cases in Indonesia 167
- Morphological complexity as a parameter of linguistic typology: Hungarian as a contact language 191
- Language complexity and interlinguistic difficulty 217
- Complexity in nominal plural allomorphy: A contrastive survey of ten Germanic languages 243
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III. Creoles and pidgins
- The simplicity of creoles in a cross-linguistic perspective 265
- Complexity in numeral systems with an investigation into pidgins and creoles 287
- Explaining Kabuverdianu nominal plural formation 305
- Complexity and simplicity in minimal lexica: The lexicon of Chinook Jargon 321
- Index of languages 341
- Index of authors 345
- Index of subjects 349
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction: The problem of language complexity vii
-
I. Typology and theory
- Complexity in linguistic theory, language learning and language change 3
- Grammatical complexity in cross-linguistic perspective 23
- Complexity trade-offs between the subsystems of language 43
- Complexity trade-offs in core argument marking 67
- Assessing linguistic complexity 89
- How complex are isolating languages? 109
- Complexity in isolating languages: Lexical elaboration versus grammatical economy 133
- Grammatical resources and linguistic complexity: Sirionó as a language without NP coordination 153
-
II. Contact and change
- Why does a language undress? Strange cases in Indonesia 167
- Morphological complexity as a parameter of linguistic typology: Hungarian as a contact language 191
- Language complexity and interlinguistic difficulty 217
- Complexity in nominal plural allomorphy: A contrastive survey of ten Germanic languages 243
-
III. Creoles and pidgins
- The simplicity of creoles in a cross-linguistic perspective 265
- Complexity in numeral systems with an investigation into pidgins and creoles 287
- Explaining Kabuverdianu nominal plural formation 305
- Complexity and simplicity in minimal lexica: The lexicon of Chinook Jargon 321
- Index of languages 341
- Index of authors 345
- Index of subjects 349
