Abstract

Abstract The Sorbian languages basically use a decimal (base 10) numeral system with multiplication and addition, although there are also traces of subtraction and, perhaps, division. Ordinal numerals are suppletive for ‘first’ and ‘second’ only. The order of elements under addition is basically descending, except that the units precede the tens. Numerals have both adjectival and nominal properties, with adjectival properties characterizing lower numerals, nominal properties higher numerals – the details are complex. Loanwords are found for higher rather than lower numerals. The data provide interesting confirmation of several proposed universals of numeral systems.

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