The Prehistory of Nominal Classification in Witotoan Languages

Frank Seifart

50 citations0/0 files storedInternational Journal of American Linguistics

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Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation Linguistics and language evolution Categorization, perception, and language

Abstract

This paper discusses the historical development of nominal classification systems in Witotoan languages, using mainly systematic comparison of morphosyntactic structures and classifier forms. These comparisons show that nominal classification systems can be reconstructed for the two main branches of Witotoan but not for the common proto‐language proposed by Aschmann (1993). Examination of data from surrounding languages shows that the systems in the two main branches are as similar to those of neighboring languages as they are to each other. This suggests that areal diffusion of nominal classification probably took place at an early stage in the history of Witotoan languages.

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References

1991Gender 2000Classifiers: A Typology of Noun Categorization Devices 1983The Fish People 1995Anthropological linguistics 2004Noun classes in African and Amazonian languages: Towards a comparison 1985The Fish People: Linguistic Exogamy and Tukanoan Identity in Northwest Amazonia.1983Anthropological Linguistics 2001Areal Diffusion, Genetic Inheritance, and Problems of Subgrouping: A North Arawak Case Study

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