Chapter 5. A single origin of numeral classifiers in Asia and the Pacific

Abstract

A world map of more than 700 numeral classifier languages shows a pattern of distribution due to diffusion, where the classifier feature radiates outward from a clear center of clustering in Southeast Asia and classifier languages gradually thin out and with less intensive use of classifiers (Gil 2013; Her et al. 2015). A hypothesis of a single origin seems appealing to account for this particular pattern of distribution. We propose that in Asia and the Pacific numeral classifiers developed indigenously in one language group initially and all other classifier languages acquired this feature via language contact. The hypothesis thus excludes Europe, Africa, Papua New Guinea, and the Americas, pending further research. Based on the evidence available, we argue that, between Tai-Kadai and Sinitic, the latter is more likely the single origin for Asia and the Pacific, and we also consider a possible cause of the rise of classifiers in Sinitic.