Universal #1623

Legacy number: 1623

 Number  1619
 Original  The implicational hierarchy of semantic distinctions for predicate classifier systems:
The primary distinction in predicate classifier systems is between animate and inanimate beings. Animate predicate classifiers make a further distinction in terms of Posture.
Inanimate predicate classifiers are classified by Shape*/Orientation; further distinctions are made in terms of Individuation and Rigidity.
 Standardized  IF there are predicate classifiers for anything else, THEN there are predicate classifiers distinguishing animate and inanimate.
IF for animates there are predicate classifiers for anything other than Posture, THEN there are predicate classifiers for Posture.
IF for inanimates there are predicate classifiers in terms of Individuation and/or Rigidity, THEN there are predicate classifiers in terms of Shape/Orientation.
 Formula  Animate: Posture;
Inanimate: Shape/Orientation > Individuation, Rigidity
 Keywords  predicate classifier, animacy<br>
 Domain  inflection, syntax, semantics
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  absolute?
 Basis  classifier languages surveyed by Croft 1994
 Source  Croft 1994: 157

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Discussion
Notes
1. Predicate classifier systems do not employ the human/nonhuman distinction. 2. *Inanimate predicate classifiers employ shape distinctions, but not in terms of three dimensions, as with numeral classifiers (see #1621). The only shape distinctions found are between nonextended, extended vertical, and extended horizontal. This is because these “shape” distinctions are derived from the animate posture classes: “nonextended” is ‘sit’, “extended vertical” is ‘stand’, and “extended horizontal’ is ‘lie’. The difference between animates and inanimates is that an animate being’s posture is only a transitory fact about the animate being, while the inanimate object’s “shape” is (generally) an inherent property. (Croft 1994: 158)
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
1. Predicate classifier systems do not employ the human/nonhuman distinction.

2. *Inanimate predicate classifiers employ shape distinctions, but not in terms of three dimensions, as with numeral classifiers (see <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=1621"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">). The only shape distinctions found are between nonextended, extended vertical, and extended horizontal. This is because these "shape" distinctions are derived from the animate posture classes: "nonextended" is 'sit', "extended vertical" is 'stand', and "extended horizontal" is 'lie'. The difference between animates and inanimates is that an animate being's posture is only a transitory fact about the animate being, while the inanimate object's "shape" is (generally) an inherent property. (Croft 1994: 158)