The structure and meaning of label numerals

Abstract

This paper investigates the so-far neglected label use of numerals, as in player number five, and its relationship with the quantifying and the arithmetical function. The paper examines the conceptual nature of labeling and explores label constructions from a cross-linguistic perspective. In particular, the paper investigates marking patterns concerning derived label numerals in Slavic and classifier constructions in Japanese as well as data from Maltese and Wymysorys (Germanic). The paper argues that the arithmetical meaning is basic whereas the quantifying and the label meanings are derived by unrelated mechanisms. In order to account for the data, the paper proposes a morphosemantic analysis combining compositional semantics with Nanosyntax.