A typology of noun categorization devices

Grammatical means for the linguistic categorization of noun referents are found in just about every language of the world. Noun categorization devices range from large sets of numeral classifiers of Southeast Asia to highly grammaticalized closed sets of noun classes and genders in African and Indo-European languages. Further devices include noun classifiers, classifiers in possessive constructions, verbal classifiers and two less known types: locative and deictic classifiers. Classifiers share semantic features of animacy, humanness, shape and function. One language can combine several types of noun categorization devices. In ?multiple classifier? languages, the same morphemes occur in several grammatical contexts. Historically, categorization devices of one type can develop from another.