Classifiers, Linguistics of

Abstract

Classifiers constitute intermediate lexico-grammatical systems of nominal classification, half way between more lexical systems such as measure terms and class terms and more grammaticalized systems such as noun class and gender systems. Classifiers are overt morphemes of morphosyntactic systems which are semantically motivated and subject to discourse-pragmatic conditions of use. They form in essence secondary linguistic systems, which are characterized, on one hand, by their clear lexical origin and persistant semantic motivation and, on the other, by their functioning as morphosyntactic systems. There are distinct types of classifier systems, beyond the better-known systems of numeral classifiers, such as noun classifiers, genitive classifiers and verbal classifiers. The study of these lexico grammatical systems necessitates attention to their dynamic aspect, such as their age, their level of grammaticalization, and their vitality. Understanding the variety of classifier systems and their relations to other nominal classification systems and paying attention to the dynamic parameters of those systems is important if classifiers are to be used as some test of the relation between language and cognition because of the overt linguistic categorization system they exhibit.