Some Yoruba quantifier words and semantic interpretation

Abstract

This paper examines the need to look at quantifiers from semantic perspectives unconnected with logical, existential, or universal claims. The focus here is on the quantifier 'many' in Yoruba. Among other observations it is noted that the Yoruba quantifier meaning 'many' may occur only with those NPs that are viewed as animate.

Keywords

• quantifiers
• Yoruba
• animacy