The Interaction of Syntax and Semantics in Countability and Number Marking

Abstract

Countability and number marking are basically specified by morpho-syntactic structures. However, they are closely related with the denotations of noun phrases. Hence, it needs to be scrutinized (i) whether syntax and semantics are interrelated to mark the relevant information, and (ii) in what way they are. In this study, we will review diverse linguistic data to analyze patters for countability and number marking. Finally, it will be concluded that syntax and semantics are deeply intertwined each other even in languages where countability and number are not explicitly marked or marked in the opposite ways of nominal denotations.