Universal #1627

Legacy number: 1627

 Number  1623
 Original  There is some evidence that in numeral classifier languages when concrete objects are counted the numerals always occur with the appropriate classifiers.
 Standardized  In numeral classifier languages:
When concrete objects are counted, the numeral always occurs with the appropriate classifier.
 Keywords  numeral classifier, numeral
 Domain  syntax, semantics<br>
 Type  no genuine implication; rather: provided that
 Status  achronic
 Quality  absolute
 Basis  three numeral classifier languages: Ojibwa (Algonquian, Algic), Khasi (Mon-Khmer), Yurok (Ritwan, Algic)
 Source  Greenberg 1974b: 83

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Discussion
Notes
1. Greenberg makes a distinction between "abstract counting", as in mathematical discourse, and "concrete counting", where specific objects are involved. (Greenberg 1974b: 82-83)2. Implicationally:IF numeral classifiers (obligatorily) occur with abstract objects, THEN they will also occur (obligatorily) with concrete objects.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
1. Greenberg makes a distinction between "abstract counting", as in mathematical discourse, and "concrete counting", where specific objects are involved. (Greenberg 1974b: 82-83)

2. Implicationally:
IF numeral classifiers (obligatorily) occur with abstract objects, THEN they will also occur (obligatorily) with concrete objects.