Hello,
> Hmm... re: class systems
>
> where would something like the classifier (aka 'measure word') system
> in Chinese langs stand [basically when counting nouns or preceeding them
by
> demonstrative adjective(-equivalents) you must insert a classifier just
before
> the nouns which more or less indicates the semantic class of the noun]
Near, but not there. The classifier does define the semantic class, but it
does not affect grammar (i.e. doesn't rule agreement &c.)
> My question is, would this be a *typical* example of how a class system
works
> and affects the grammar, or something quite above and beyond a class
system,
> or even some vestigal remains of a class system, in that its application
is
> quite resticted to a few (though v. common) constructions?
I don't think anything is applicable.
> stephen
>
> [who, if he ever speaks Mandarin, will be a one classifier guy - "ge".
> though I've heard that classifier errors can be quite amusing, and
> I'm beginning to get a taste for the wonderful semantic clashing that
> arises from something like "yi2 tiao2 ren2" or "liang3 ben3 ren2" ;)
Oush :-)
> Any hui4 shou1 zhong1wen2 de ren2 {I don't care if it sounds stupid,
> or wrong - I'm addicted to that 'de' construction!!} here who find this
> kind of thing funny? ]
hui4 shuo1, you mean?
--Pavel