Do nominal classifiers mediate selectional restrictions? An investigation of the function of semantically based nominal classifiers in Mawng (Iwaidjan, Australian)

Abstract

This article argues that the primary function of nominal classifiers which have a strong semantic basis is to mediate selectional restrictions. Nominal classifiers do part of the work usually done by selectional restrictions; selecting the relevant sense of the verb and narrowing down the range of possible arguments. In the Australian language Mawng (Iwaidjan, Australia), gender agreement in the verb provides good evidence for the role of nominal classification in mediating selectional restrictions. Mawng verb agreement distinguishes five genders and plays a key role in selecting the relevant sense of the verb. In fact, sometimes gender agreement does not match the gender of the corresponding argument but instead reflects the gender agreement usually found with the relevant verb sense. Typological work on nominal classification systems has focused on their morphosyntax and their reference tracking function. However, nominal classification systems with a strong semantic basis play an important role in constructing meaning by mediating the semantic interactions between verbs and nouns. Reference tracking is often portrayed as the primary function of nominal classification universally. However, in addition to tracking existing referents, nominal classification can be important in creating new referents and modifying existing referents.