2.3.4 Numerative N
Where Deictic tells us which one, Numerative tells us how many. Numerative indicates some numerical of the subset: either
quantity or order, either exact or inexact. For example :
Quantity : the two snakes, lots of snakes.
Order : the second snake, a subsequent snake.
2.3.5 Epithet Epi
This indicates some quality of the subset, which may be either objective, such as old, big, small, or it may be an expression of the
speaker‟s attitude, such as being experiential have an interpersonal dimension. Attitudinal Epithets subjective Epithets tend to come
before experiential objective ones; however, this is a tendency and not a rule. If we look at abuse, then we tend to find that the Attitudinal
Epithets come first and build in intensity before we get to the experiential ones. So, for example:
You useless, hopeless, worthless, no good, little,… However, if we go back to snakes we could find:
Those two loathsome, big snakes or those two big, loathsome snakes.
Attitudinal Epithets also tend to be marked by stress and intonation, and are often intensified by swear words. There is also, theoretically
anyway, no restriction on the number of Epithets possible in a nominal group.
2.3.6 Classifier Class
The function of the classifier is to tell us what type or what kind. For example, we distinguish between types of snakes by their
classifier: venomous or non-venomous snakes. It is often difficult to draw a line between what a Classifier and what is an Epithet. Some
criteria are : A Classifier comes from a finite set of options. There are any
number of qualities which can be assigned to something but a more limited range of types or sub-sets.
A Classifier cannot be intensified. We can have a very big snake but we do not find a very non
–venomous snake. We have now covered the range of possible modification before
Thing premodification. This is shown in the following nominal group :
Those other two
big loathsome venomous snakes
D PD
N Epi
exp
Epi
att
C T
2.3.7 Qualifier Q
Kategori