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Universal 1363:

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 1363:

Original
The only numeral expressions deleted are those for 1 and for bases of the system.
Standardized
In numeral systems, IF any numeral expressions are deleted, THEN these are expressions for 1 and for bases of the system.
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: 278 (#36)
Counterexamples

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    1. See ##1346, 1366.2. Greenberg concludes that 1 is often deleted as a subtrahend. For example, in Tarahumara (Uto-Aztecan), ‘ki-makoi’ is 9 and ‘makoi’ is 10. However, ‘ki’ is not 1 but expresses deletion and 1 (‘bire’) has been deleted. Bases are frequently deleted as multiplicands. Thus in Oriya (Indo-Iranian), 100 is deleted in the expression 275 as (3 x 100) – 1/4 * (100).

    1. May 2020

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