Re: Zero-ness

Well, "zero" is reminscent of "zero form," which refers, loosely speaking,
to an implicit part of a word or utterance, like the missing subject in most
English commands.

I didn't read anyone mentioning "negative;"   we all know you'll need that
term for whatever you're going to use for "no" and "not."

"Abessive" refers to a case, and its possible to put both singular and
plural nouns in such a case.   It makes sense for a couple with one child to
vacation "without the child," and it makes sense for a couple with more than
one child to vaction "without the children."

But you're talking about a number that contrasts with singular and plural,
so you need a different name.

I'd go with Johnathan Chang's "nil" or "null."

Or you could use a bigger word:   "uninstantiated"?

You could also coin or borrow a neologism.   "omissive?"

Jim


---- Original Message -----
From: "H. S. Teoh" <hsteoh@...>
To: <CONLANG@...>
Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 6:47 PM
Subject: Zero-ness


> Hi, another quick question... (I only do linguistics as a hobby, so please
> bear with my lack of knowledge) :-)
>
> I'm making a conlang where the nouns have three "numbers": singular,
> plural and a third number that indicates the absence or negation of a
> noun. Right now, the only term I can think of to represent this is
> "zero"... any better suggestions?
>
> "Plural nouns" and "singular nouns" are easily understood, but "zero
> nouns" may be misread to mean no nouns, instead of a noun in its zero
> number... so I need a better term! Suggestions will be appreciated!
>
>
> T
>