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Nominal Classification in Asia and Oceania: Functional and diachronic perspectives
Edited by Marc Allassonnière-Tang and Marcin Kilarski
[Current Issues in Linguistic Theory 362] 2023
► pp. 113–160

Chapter 5
A single origin of numeral classifiers in Asia and the Pacific

A hypothesis

| Tunghai University | National Chengchi University |
| National Chengchi University |
A world map of more than 700 numeral classifier languages shows a pattern of distribution due to diffusion, where the classifier feature radiates outward from a clear center of clustering in Southeast Asia and classifier languages gradually thin out and with less intensive use of classifiers (Gil 2013; Her et al. 2015). A hypothesis of a single origin seems appealing to account for this particular pattern of distribution. We propose that in Asia and the Pacific numeral classifiers developed indigenously in one language group initially and all other classifier languages acquired this feature via language contact. The hypothesis thus excludes Europe, Africa, Papua New Guinea, and the Americas, pending further research. Based on the evidence available, we argue that, between Tai-Kadai and Sinitic, the latter is more likely the single origin for Asia and the Pacific, and we also consider a possible cause of the rise of classifiers in Sinitic.
Keywords: numeral classifier, measure word, single origin, Sinitic, Tai-Kadai
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.SMATTI and the single origin hypothesis
    • 2.1Distribution of classifier languages in the world
    • 2.2A single origin within SMATTI
    • 2.3Current scope of the single origin hypothesis
    • 2.4Competing candidates for the single origin
  • 3.Evidence of language phyla borrowing classifiers
    • 3.1Miao-Yao (Hmong-Mien)
    • 3.2Austroasiatic
    • 3.3Tibeto-Burman
    • 3.4Dravidian
    • 3.5Indo-Aryan
    • 3.6Austronesian
    • 3.7Other non-SMATTI languages
  • 4.The single origin: Sinitic or Tai-Kadai?
    • 4.1Classifiers in Archaic Chinese
    • 4.2Animal classifiers in Chinese
    • 4.3Chinese classifier positions in historical times
    • 4.4Absence of classifiers in Proto-Tibeto-Burman
    • 4.5Skewed distribution of classifiers in Chinese dialects
    • 4.6The most developed system of all Southeast Asian languages
    • 4.7Historical center of classifier language groups
    • 4.8Other arguments favoring Sinitic
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 1 December 2023
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/cilt.362.05her
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