This monograph investigates the fundamental nature of
nouns in classifier and non-classifier languages in
the context of plurality-related phenomena. In the
recent literature, there have been many suggestions
which draw a distinction between classifier and
non-classifier languages with respect to the nature
of nouns. The fundamental reason for the apparent
optional plural marking in classifier languages has
been ascribed to the different nature of nouns. This
book shows that there is no such fundamental
distinction with respect to the nature of nouns
between classifier languages and non-classifier
languages. The parametric difference in the
mass/count distinction between these two types of
languages rather lies in 'how' and 'where' the
semantic information is encoded. This book also
explores the unique roles of plural markers in
classifier languages such as Chinese, Japanese,
Korean, etc. and provides micro-parametric variations
in the syntax and semantics of plural markers.
nouns in classifier and non-classifier languages in
the context of plurality-related phenomena. In the
recent literature, there have been many suggestions
which draw a distinction between classifier and
non-classifier languages with respect to the nature
of nouns. The fundamental reason for the apparent
optional plural marking in classifier languages has
been ascribed to the different nature of nouns. This
book shows that there is no such fundamental
distinction with respect to the nature of nouns
between classifier languages and non-classifier
languages. The parametric difference in the
mass/count distinction between these two types of
languages rather lies in 'how' and 'where' the
semantic information is encoded. This book also
explores the unique roles of plural markers in
classifier languages such as Chinese, Japanese,
Korean, etc. and provides micro-parametric variations
in the syntax and semantics of plural markers.