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1. May 2020
FP
One Comment

Universal 558:

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 558:

Original
The existence of a separate absolute form for a particular numerical value implies its existence for the next lower value.
Standardized
IF there is a separate absolute form for a particular numerical value, THEN there is a separate absolute form for the next lower value as well.
Keywords
cardinal numeral
Domain
inflection
Type
implication
Status
achronic
Quality
absolute
Basis
56 languages mentioned in Greenberg 1978a
Source
Greenberg 1978a: 287 (#51)
Counterexamples
In Hungarian (Finno-Ugric, Uralic), there is no separate absolute form for ‘one’. Cf. forms for ‘two’: két (contextual), kettö (absolute). In Mandarin (Sinitic, Sino-Tibetan), there is no separate absolute form for ‘two’.
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One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    There is a fair number of languages in which there are distinct counting and discourse forms. In such instances we may call the former absolute and the latter contextual. Note also ##557, 558.

    1. May 2020

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