The syntax of numeral modification in Ainu

Dékány, Éva Katalin (2025) The syntax of numeral modification in Ainu. ACTA LINGUISTICA ACADEMICA, 72 (4). ISSN 2559-8201 (In Press)

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Abstract

This paper explores the morpho-syntax of numerals in Ainu, a critically endangered Northeast Asian language isolate. I argue that Ainu simplex numerals exhibit the direct vs. indirect modification split discussed for adjectives in Cinque (2010). My findings thus corroborate the direct/indirect bifurcation among adnominal modifiers, and show that this split applies to more types of modifiers than previously thought. In the domain of complex numerals, I argue that in addition to multiplicative, additive and subtractive numerals, Ainu also employs a rare type called overcounting numerals. Complementing and extending Ionin and Matushansky’s (2018) approach to additives and subtractives, I put forth the first analysis of the internal structure of overcounting numerals.

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