试论侗台语族是类别词突出的语言

An Analysis of the Kam-Tai as Classifier-Prominent Languages

文章根据侗台语族语言的类别词是句法核心这一特点提出侗台语族是类别词突出的语言。其根据是,在表示有定意义时,名词短语的中心语是由类别词而非名词担当;相较汉语等本地区语言而言,侗台类别词与其他词类结合的能力更强;不但能与更多类的词单独结合,还经常独立担当主语、谓语、宾语等;而且经常是短语或句子中唯一不可或缺的成分。

This paper proposes that the Kam-Tai are classifier-prominent languages from the finding that Kam-Tai classifiers are the core of syntax.The head of a nominal phrase is assumed by a classifier rather than a noun when finite concepts are involved.In sharp contrast to Mandarin and other languages in the area,Kam-Tai classifiers are almost syntactically omnipotent,in that not only can they co-occur independently with more word classes but also often occur in the slots of subject,object,predicate,etc.Moreover,they are the only obligatory element in a clause or nominal phrase.