Formal analysis of numerals: perspectives for a minimalist analysis

Abstract

This squib briefly presents an approach to numeral formation analysis guided by the compositionality of these expressions and which involves a semantics of arithmetic operations structured in syntax (HURFORD, 1987; ROTHSTEIN, 2017; IONIN; MATUSHANSKY, 2006). Thus, Portuguese, English, Karitiana (VIGNADO, 2019) and Yoruba (EIRISI, 2011) numerals are presented. This work argues the importance of a minimalist formalization for the phenomenon. The proposal consists in arithmetic features such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division that derive numerals in syntax. A minimalist approach based on features (CHOMSKY, 1995) allows contemplating operations beyond addition and multiplication, which are the most common and analyzed in linguistic literature, and includes numerals in recent linguistic debates.