Numeral Classifiers in Western Subanon, A Language of the Philippines

Abstract

Philippine languages, with the exception of Cebuano, are not thought to have classifier systems. However, Western Subanon, a Greater Central Philippine spoken on Mindanao Island, Philippines, appears to possess constructions which conform to the known typology of classifiers. This paper presents an overview of the types of classifiers found in Western Subanon, and tentatively suggests that they may have originated from direct and indirect borrowing due to contact with Brunei Malay.