Classifiers in Rongga

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Issue Date: 
2008
Sponsored By: 
ELDP, National Science Foundation
Is Part Of Series: 
Studies in Philippine Languages and Cultures; 10-ICAL Austronesian Papers; Volume 18
Extent: 
pages 1-17
Abstract: 
This paper discusses the syntax and semantics of the numeral phrase (NumP) in Rongga, an Austronesian language from Flores island, Indonesia. Syntactically, a NumP consists of a numeral expression and a classifier. It is part of a noun phrase (NP)/determiner phrase (DP). While the NumP can come before or after the noun head, there is a restriction when it comes after the noun head. Semantically, the NumP expresses sortal and quantifying funtions, which are determined by the classifiers. At the broadest level, sortal classifiers in Rongga encapsulate the natural classifications of living and nonliving entities, with living things being further subclassified into human, animal, and plant. Nonliving entities are classified in terms of their physcal attributes and textures (round, long, flat, etc.). This paper also discusses how numerals and classifiers in Rongga are increasingly under pressure from, and replaced by, the national language, Indonesian.
Publication Status: 
Published
Country: 
Indonesia
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Content Language: 
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Work Type: 
Nature of Work: 
Entry Number: 
42069