Numerosity structures the expression of quantity in lexical numbers and grammatical number
Current Anthropology • Vol/Iss. 56(5) • University of Chicago Press • • Published In • Pages: 638-653 •
By Overmann, Karenleigh A.
Hypothesis
Grammatical number (GN) is necessary for lexical numbers (LNs)
Note
Societies lacking GN and LNs (n=2) are significantly outnumbered by both societies possessing LNs beyond five or greater (the subitization threshold) but no GN (n=75), and by societies possessing LNs beyond five and GN (n=820). If the hypothesis (that nominal plurality is necessary for developing LNs) were true, "no language lacking plurality would develop any LNs at all or would develop none higher than three or four (and there were 75 cases that did)" (p.640).
| Test Name | Support | Significance | Coefficient | Tail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comparison of percentages | Not Supported | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Variable Name | Variable Type | OCM Term(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Number Counted (Lexical Number) | Independent | Numeration |
| Nominal Plurality (Grammatical Number) | Dependent | Numeration |