The semantics of Turkish numeral constructions

Abstract

This paper explores Turkish numeral constructions, which have typologically two
interesting properties: (i) the existence of an optional classifier, (ii) the incompatibility of plurals
with them. I argue that numerals are modifiers of type <<e,t>,<e,t>> defined only for
atomic properties (Ionin and Matushansky 2006). The explanation rests on the semantics of
bare singulars proposed to denote sets of atoms (contra Bale et al. 2010), and the semantics of
the classifier claimed to be a partial identity function presupposing atomic properties.
Keywords: numerals, atomicity, number neutrality, plurality, kinds, optional classifiers.