Uncovering variation in classifier assignment in Oceanic

The possessive classifier systems of some Oceanic languages show signs of shifting towards fixed gender systems. In typical classifier systems, a noun can occur with different classifiers, depending on how the possessed item is used by the possessor (Lichtenberk, 1983). For example, nompui ‘pig’ in Lewo (Vanuatu) occurs with either the food or the general classifier. The ability of a noun to occur with different classifiers is termed overlap.

Lewo (typical system)

In marked contrast, North Ambrym’s (Vanuatu) cognate for pig – bu – occurs only with the food classifier (2a), not the general classifier (2b):

North Ambrym (innovative system)

We argue that North Ambrym’s innovative system shows properties of a gender system: a noun occurs with a particular classifier regardless of contextual interactions. We ask whether gender systems can indeed emerge from possessive classifiers in this way. If so, we must then uncover how and why languages would relinquish a useful, meaningful classificatory system, and adopt a rigid, apparently unmotivated gender system.

We designed a suite of experiments to compare possessive classifier systems in six representative Oceanic languages: Merei, Lewo, Vatlongos, North Ambrym (Vanuatu), Nêlêmwa and Iaai (New Caledonia). Each has a different inventory of classifiers, from a simple two-way distinction (Merei) up to a more complex inventory of 23 (Iaai).

We focus on the methodology and results from a video vignette experiment. Participants watched 24 video vignettes to establish whether the use of different classifiers depended upon different interactional contexts of the items depicted in the vignettes. The interactional contexts were designed to test the three main classifier categories found in the sample languages – general, drink and food. Additionally, the vignettes were used to investigate both typical and atypical interactions with items, for example, using washing up liquid for washing plates, vs. drinking washing up liquid. This method allowed us to test the flexibility of each system.

The results show that (i) languages vary as to the degree of overlap between noun and classifier, and (ii) languages with low overlap also display higher degrees of semantic mismatch between the verb and the classifier, especially with typical contextual interactions. Furthermore, all languages have high degrees of semantic mismatch between verb and classifier when the contextual interaction in the video is atypical; this reveals that the periphery of all the sample systems function similarly. The results showed how classifier systems function internally, that is how speakers distinguish between typical and novel interactions.

The video vignette experiment has demonstrated different ways to compare classifier systems, by comparing systems based on the degree of noun-classifier overlap. This reveals that some innovative systems do indeed function more like a gender system, in having a more fixed assignment system.

References:
Lichtenberk, Frantisek. 1983. Relational Classifiers. Lingua 60(2-3):147–176.