Universal #1156
Legacy number: 1156
| Number | 1152 |
| Original | For any given noun phrase, numerability implies definitizability, and definitizability implies pronominalizability. |
| Standardized | For any given noun phrase, IF it is numerable THEN it is definitizable, and IF it is definitizable THEN it is pronominalizable. |
| Formula | numerability ⇒ definitizability ⇒ pronominalizability |
| Keywords | number, plural, definite, pronoun |
| Domain | inflection, syntax |
| Type | implication |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | absolute |
| Basis | 106 languages surveyed in Moravcsik 1969 |
| Source | Moravcsik 1969: 73-74 |
Discussion
Notes
1. In other words, NPs that can be pluralized but not definitized and those that can be pluralized and definitized but not pronominalized are excluded as possible constructions. 2. The claim is that whereas referential marking is not a prerequisite for pronominalization – even generic noun phrases and “predicate nouns“ can be pronominalized – only a subset of pronominalizable things, i. e. those which have reference, can undergo definitization; and (though all nouns with reference are quantifiable) only that subset which is countable can be numerated.
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2. The claim is that whereas referential marking is not a prerequisite for pronominalization – even generic noun phrases and 'predicate nouns' can be pronominalized – only a subset of pronominalizable things, i. e. those which have reference, can undergo definitization; and (though all nouns with reference are quantifiable) only that subset which is countable can be numerated.