Affiliation:
1. University of Southern California
Abstract
Abstract
Lalo Yi (Tibeto-Burman; China) makes systematic distinctions in the encoding of specificity with
numerically-quantified nominals. Whereas specific indefinite NPs involve the presence of an article nikhe in an
NP-internal position [Noun nikhe Numeral Classifier], non-specific existentially-asserted indefinites require the
use of a syntactically discontinuous floating quantifier pattern [NP…Numeral-Classifier…]. A third, distinctive patterning is
found with weak, non-specific indefinites (indefinites that are not existentially asserted). This paper describes these previously
undocumented contrastive forms in Lalo Yi and how the language has developed a strikingly transparent linking between
morpho-syntax and semantics/pragmatics in the domain of nominal phrases.
Publisher
John Benjamins Publishing Company