5.1.2. Bodypart classifiers
Unlike entity classifiers, bodypart classifiers do not denote entities as a whole but refer to some parts of a human or animal body. However, they form predicate classifiers because the classifier handshape always combines with a verb thus expressing the location or movement of the referred entity.
The following example shows the difference between a bodypart classifier denoting parts of an animal body and a bodypart classifier denoting parts of a human body. In (a) the |-handshape is chosen to refer to the cats paws, whereas in (b) the b -handshape represents human legs. In both examples, the classifier predicate expresses the movement of the referent.
a. cat cl(4 legs):โwalkโ
สปThe cat walks.สผ
b. person cl(2 legs):โwalkโ
สปThe person walks.สผ
(based on Glรผck & Pfau, 1998)
Bodypart classifiers like entity classifiers combine with intransitive verbs [Syntax 2.1.1.2], but in contrast to entity classifiers the subject behaves like an external argument and receives the thematic role of agent.