Re: When is plural applied?

Clearly there is much confusion in natlangs on that
point. The problem is that plural and singular just
aren't enough in some cases. I already mentioned the
canonic Ancient Greek example:
Ta zoa trekhei (the animals "is" running; probably
meaning "the group of animals is running")

So we should, could, or might think of the following
possible grammatical "numbers":
- singular (one animal is running)
- dual (both hands are full)
- plural (animals are running)
- collective (a group of animals is running)
- singulative (a single blade of grass)
- paucal (few animals are runing)
- null number (no animal is running)
- indefinite (like in Basque, "one or several")
- and maybe some more.

I also suggested thinking about the notion of couple
(as the two components of a system, like Yin and Yang,
day and night, male and female), vs the notion of pair
(eyes, feet...), but I was convinced that I was wrong
(so I shut up, but I keep thinking my own way :-)

--- David Zitzelsberger <DavidZ@...> wrote:
> Had an interesting thought.
>
> Are the dishes clean?
>
> pl      pl
>
> Is this stuff clean?
>
> si      si but implies plural
>
> How do other languages handle the pluralness of
> nouns that represent a
> plural idea (inherently mass).
>
> I can think of three solutions to this:
> 	1. It's singular so use singular verb
> 	2. It's a mass so use plural verb
> 	3. It's a special case so use a separate case
>
> My American uses number 1. Do any other languages
> (NAT and CON) use the
> other two?

=====
Philippe Caquant

"High thoughts must have high language." (Aristophanes, Frogs)


	
		
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