Interpretation of Rumanian neuter by the number system of Gustave Guillaume

Abstract

This contribution proposes an explanation of Rumanian neuter – a result of the interference of gender and number – by the dynamics of these categories in Gustave Guillaume’s vision. Psychomecanics of language, essentially operative, helps us to understand the main fact needing explanation: why and by whitch mechanisms masculine nouns change their gender to feminine in their plural? The explanation of this phenomenon involves mainly several analogous systems as: internal plural / external plural, minor animate / major animate, construction of word, conception (imaginary) of space.

Keywords

• Neuter
• internal plural
• interference between gender and number
• psychomecanics
• comparative linguistics of Romance languages
• Gustave Guillaume