Universal #546

Legacy number: 546

 Number  544
 Original  If a numeral expression contains a complex constituent, then the numerical value of the complex constituent itself in isolation receives either simple lexical expression or is expressed by the same function and in the same phonological shape, except for possible automatic phonological alternations, stress shifts, or overt expressions of co-ordination. This principle will be called the principle of incorporation.
 Standardized  IF a numeral expression contains a complex constituent, THEN the numerical value of the complex constituent itself in isolation receives either simple lexical expression or is expressed by the same function and in the same phonological shape, except for possible automatic phonological alternations, stress shifts, or overt expressions of co-ordination.
 Keywords  numeral
 Domain  word formation
 Type  no genuine implication; rather: provided that
 Status  achronic
 Quality  absolute
 Basis  56 languages mentioned in Greenberg 1978a
 Source  Greenberg 1978a: 279 (#37)

← Back to Universals Archive

Discussion
Notes
A complex constituent contains at least two numerals, e.g. in French, where 72 is expressed as “soixante-douze” (60+12), 372 would be expressed in the same manner, as “trois-cents-soixante-douze” (3x100+60+12) and not as *“trois-cents-septante dix deux”.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
A complex constituent contains at least two numerals, e.g. in French, where 72 is expressed as 'soixante-douze' (60+12), 372 would be expressed in the same manner, as 'trois-cents-soixante-douze' (3x100+60+12) and not as *'trois-cents-septante dix deux'.