Universal #561
Legacy number: 561
| Number | 559 |
| Original | Where the distinction between absolute and contextual cardinal numerals exists, the use of contextual form as a multiplier with a lower base implies its use with all higher bases. |
| Standardized | Where there is a distinction between absolute and contextual cardinal numerals, IF the contextual form is used as a multiplier with a lower base, THEN the contextual form is also used with all higher bases. |
| Keywords | cardinal numeral |
| Domain | word formation |
| Type | implication |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | absolute |
| Basis | 56 languages mentioned in Greenberg 1978a |
| Source | Greenberg 1978a: 287 (#52) |
Discussion
Notes
1. MULTIPLICAND = a quantity to be multiplied by another.MultiplieR = a quantity by which another is multiplied.2. There is a fair number of languages in which there are distinct counting and discourse forms. In such instances we may call the former absolute and the latter contextual. 3. Mandarin (Sinitic, Sino-Tibetan) has two forms of ‘two’, “èr” (absolute) and “liang” (contextual). “èr” is used as a multiplier of ‘ten’, while “liang” is the usual but not exclusive form used with ‘hundred’, ‘thousand’ and ‘ten-thousand’. The use of the contextual form with bases relates to the general principle that bases behave like substantives, and the larger their numerical value, the more substantive-like they are. 4. Note also ##557, 558, 560.
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2. There is a fair number of languages in which there are distinct counting and discourse forms. In such instances we may call the former absolute and the latter contextual.
3. Mandarin (Sinitic, Sino-Tibetan) has two forms of 'two', 'èr (absolute) and 'liang' (contextual). 'èr'is used as a multiplier of 'ten', while 'liang'is the usual but not exclusive form used with 'hundred', 'thousand' and 'ten-thousand'. The use of the contextual form with bases relates to the general principle that bases behave like substantives, and the larger their numerical value, the more substantive-like they are.
4. Note also <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=557"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">, <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=558"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">, <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=560"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">.