Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: This paper examines the morphological properties of Bàtɔ̀nū numerals. The primary aim of the paper is to investigate the mathematical operations involved in the Bàtɔ̀nū numeral system. Based on this, the study has the following objectives: To show a descriptive analysis using the lexical phonology and morphology approach in the derivational processes of the numeral system, to show the relevant constraints or imperatives for well-formedness (addition, multiplication, subtraction and conjunction), to examine the representation of number in quality and amount, in line with the system of forming complex numbers and counting operations, finally, to determine the patterns and also the agreed method of counting in Bàtɔ̀nū. The study adopted Mohanan’s (1982) and Kiparsky’s (1982a) lexical phonological and morphological theories based on their problem-solving effectiveness and their reliability in handling African language data. Data for the study were generated from both primary and secondary sources. The informant method was adopted in collecting data, through the use of frame technique. The study concluded that Bàtɔ̀nū employed subtractive mechanism in the formation of numeral system. The language uses productively the additive element “kà” 1meaning ‘and’ in adding other base numerals. Generally speaking, it could be observed that money counting system in Bàtɔ̀nū employs the mathematical operations of addition, subtraction and multiplication in order to achieve simplicity in the counting system.
Source: Journal of Universal Language
Authors: Issa O. Sanusi, Lateefat Oluwatosin Yusuf
Institution: University of Ilorin
Language: English
Subfield: Language and Linguistics
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2802258358