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Universal 538: Multiplicand Multiplier ⇒ Noun Numeral

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 538: Multiplicand Multiplier ⇒ Noun Numeral

Original
If there are numerals in which the expression of the multiplier follows that of the multiplicand, the language is one in which the numeral follows the noun.
Standardized
IF there are numerals in which the expression of the multiplier follows that of the multiplicand, THEN the numeral will follow the noun.
Keywords
numeral, order, noun
Domain
word formation, syntax
Type
implication
Status
achronic
Quality
absolute
Basis
56 languages mentioned in Greenberg 1978a
Source
Greenberg 1978a: 274 (#28)
Counterexamples

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    1. MULTIPLICAND= a quantity to be multiplied by another.MultiplieR= a quantity by which another is multiplied.2. The two orders harmonize: Multiplier Multiplicand with Numeral Noun and Multiplicand Multiplier with Noun Numeral. Whenever this harmony is disturbed, it is always in favour of Multiplier Multiplicand order which occurs in a number of instances with Noun Numeral order, e.g. Lhasa Tibetan (Tibeto-Burman) and Maori (Oceanic, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian). Thus, as mentioned by Stampe (1976), Multiplier Multiplicand order is highly favoured over Multiplicand Multiplier in languages of the world, being even stronger than the preference for Numeral Noun order in relation to Noun Numeral (adpted from Greenberg 1978a: 275).3. See also ##59, 1365.

    1. May 2020

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