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Universal 1999:

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 1999:

Original
For the simple cardinal numerals, as their arithmetical value increases, so the possibility of agreement in gender decreases. There is a widespread tendency for lower numerals to be more like adjectives, and for higher numerals to be more like nouns, and so not to agree in gender.
Standardized
The higher the (simple) cardinal numerals, the unlikelier they are to agree in gender.
Keywords
numeral, agreement, gender
Domain
inflection, syntax
Type
implication
Status
achronic
Quality
statistical
Basis
“over 200 languages” from all over the place
Source
Corbett 1991: 134
Counterexamples
Chechen, Ingush, Tsova-Tush (NE Central, or Nakh, Daghestanian), where only ‘four’ has gender agreement. (Corbett 1991: 134, referring to Deseriev 1967: 187).

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    See #152 for the more general generalization concerning lower numerals to be (like) adjectives and higher numerals to be (like) nouns, in agreement behaviour and whatever else is relevant.

    1. May 2020

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