Universal #1630

Legacy number: 1630

 Number  1625
 Original  In languages with double numeral systems, the set of numerals labelled as A tends to be associated with singular(s) as the unmarked number category.
 Standardized  In languages with double numeral systems:
IF the numeral of the A set is used, THEN the item counted or measured tends to be in the singular.
 Keywords  double numeral system, number, singular
 Domain  morphology, syntax
 Type  no genuine implication; rather: provided that
 Status  achronic
 Quality  absolute
 Basis  5 languages with double numeral systems: 3 numeral classifier languages: Ojibwa (Algonquian, Algic), Khasi (Mon-Khmer), Yurok (Ritwan, Algic); 2 non-classifier languages: Javanese (Sundic, Austronesian), Burushaski (isolate)
 Source  Greenberg 1974b: 82

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Discussion
Notes
DOUBLE NUMERAL SYSTEMs differentiate between either two lexically distinct forms for the number ‘one’ or two different numeral series. Greenberg labels these two sets of numerals A-forms and B-forms. Typically, A-forms are used in constructions expressing "artificial unit formation", while B-forms usually express "natural unit counting", cf. ‘five cupfuls’ [which is a non-standard measure] (A construction) vs. ‘five cups’ (B construction), which in a numeral classifier language corresponds to the contrast ‘ five cup sugar’ vs. ‘five round-object cup’ (cf. #1629). Additionally, A-forms seem to be syntactically dependent, i. e. they cannot stand alone but must be immediately followed by the item counted, while B-forms are independent ones (cf. #1628). Note that Javanese has no morphological category for number.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
DOUBLE NUMERAL SYSTEMs differentiate between either two lexically distinct forms for the number 'one' or two different numeral series. Greenberg labels these two sets of numerals A-forms and B-forms. Typically, A-forms are used in constructions expressing "artificial unit formation", while B-forms usually express "natural unit counting", cf. 'five cupfuls' [which is a non-standard measure] (A construction) vs. 'five cups' (B construction), which in a numeral classifier language corresponds to the contrast 'five cup sugar' vs. 'five round-object cup' (cf. <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=1629"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">). Additionally, A-forms seem to be syntactically dependent, i. e. they cannot stand alone but must be immediately followed by the item counted, while B-forms are independent ones (cf. <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=1628"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">).

Note that Javanese has no morphological category for number.