The Debate on Basco-Iberian Numerals: An Approach from Linguistic Typology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36707/palaeohispanica.v25i1.720Keywords:
Numerals, Borrowing, Cardinality Principle, Typology, UniversalsAbstract
From a linguistic typology perspective, some clarifications are offered to the debate
on possible Iberian numerals. First, to determine whether these forms can be considered
numerals, and second, whether their origin is due to borrowing or genetic relationship. For the
first question, the proposal by Orduña and Ferrer i Jané is summarized, drawing on research on
linguistic universals and numerals, as well as on cognitive linguistic studies by Hurford. For the
second question, The World Loanword Database is reviewed, focusing on instances of
borrowing in numeral systems. An in-depth analysis is conducted on three languages from the
sample, and the circumstances in which the phenomenon occurs are extrapolated. The findings
suggest a higher probability of borrowing than previously expected, although under specific
conditions.
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