If a language expresses general number then it will do so (either solely, or as the normal case) through the maximally unmarked form, that is, the inflectional root.
Standardized
When there is a general number not specifying any particular number term, it will be expressed, either solely or as the normal case, through the maximally unmarked form, that is, the inflectional root.
1. The inflectional root of a lexical item is the basic form, the one which cannot be further reduced as far as inflectional categories are concerned. It is indifferent to inflectional category, in the sense that all the inflectional forms normally available to lexical items of the particular word class can be formed from it (Matthews 1974: 73-5). “General number” can be found in languages in which the meaning of the noun can be expressed without reference to number, that is when they are outside the number system.2. Corbett 1992: 24: This is true whether general number is the sole number expressed by the inflectional root (as in Bayso (E. Cushitic)), or whether the inflectional root also commonly functions as the singular stem (as in Galla (E. Cushitic)).
1. The inflectional root of a lexical item is the basic form, the one which cannot be further reduced as far as inflectional categories are concerned. It is indifferent to inflectional category, in the sense that all the inflectional forms normally available to lexical items of the particular word class can be formed from it (Matthews 1974: 73-5). “General number” can be found in languages in which the meaning of the noun can be expressed without reference to number, that is when they are outside the number system.2. Corbett 1992: 24: This is true whether general number is the sole number expressed by the inflectional root (as in Bayso (E. Cushitic)), or whether the inflectional root also commonly functions as the singular stem (as in Galla (E. Cushitic)).