Noun Class and Classification in Tshiluba (L.31)

Abstract

Languages have different ways of counting nouns, involvinga variable combination of pluralisation, combination withnumbers, and quantification. Established cross-linguisticliterature in this field like that of Chierchia (2019) suggestsa tripartite typological division between number-marking(e.g., English), classifier (e.g., Mandarin), and number-neutral (e.g., English) languages. In any case, the literatureargues for certain universals irrespective of type like thedivision of nouns into number-counting (e.g., pieces of meat)and kind-counting (e.g., pork and beef). In comparison withcross-linguistic typology and neighbouring languages likeLingala, Tshiluba does show affinities with the number-marking category with categories like fluid substancesneither able to change class nor combine directly withnumerals. However, there are other affinities with number-neutral languages like in the interpretation of quantifiers forthese fluid mass nouns, in this case a buunyi which can mean“many” bottles of water or “much” water. Ultimately, thetypological system is present but the motivation for it is morediscursive in that there can be countable and uncountableiterations of words like tshi-manu “wall” as opposed tocertain words being inherently (un)countable.