Explanation
A system of grammatical classes of nouns that is often made visible through agreement with other sentence constituents. Things are not merely named but are placed within a network of relationships among classes through recurring morphological signals.
Example
In many Bantu languages, prefixes attached to nouns and agreement markers indicate its class.
Counterexample
Nominal classes cannot simply be equated with biological gender.
Distinction
Distinguishing from genus: Nominal classes are not simply equivalent to biological sex.
Effect on thought and perception
Things are not merely named but are placed within a network of relationships among classes through recurring formal signals.
Resonance
The nominal class system renders a directed relationship perceptible: Things are not merely named, but are placed within a network of relationships between classes through recurring morphological markers.
Cite this entry
Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Noun Class System“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-133-010. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-133-010The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. A verified modification date per entry is not yet available. Include your access date for precise references.