Do non‐verbal number systems shape grammar? Numerical cognition and Number morphology compared. (10th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Franzon, Francesca; Zanini, Chiara; Rugani, Rosa
• Is Part Of: Mind & language. Volume 34:Number 1(2019:Feb.)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 58
• Publication Date: 2018-05-10
• Subjects: core cognition -- core grammar -- language typology -- non‐verbal number systems -- number morphology; Psycholinguistics -- Periodicals; Thought and thinking -- Periodicals; Language and languages -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; 153.42
• DOI: 10.1111/mila.12183
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-1064

Abstract

Abstract : Number morphology (e.g., singular vs. plural) is a part of the grammar that captures numerical information. Some languages have morphological Number values, which express few (paucal), two (dual), three (trial) and sometimes (possibly) four (quadral). Interestingly, the limit of the attested morphological Number values matches the limit of non‐verbal numerical cognition. The latter is based on two systems, one estimating approximate numerosities and the other computing exact numerosities up to three or four. We compared the literature on non‐verbal number systems with data on Number morphology from 218 languages. Our observations suggest that non‐verbal numerical cognition is reflected as a core part of language.