4.3.1. The position of the numeral

The distribution of cardinals in the LIS nominal domain appears quite flexible because they can be found both in prenominal and postnominal position. For example, the cardinal three can appear before the noun cake, as in (a), or after it, as in (b).

 

 

 

         a.            maria bring three cake

         โ€˜Maria brought three cakes.โ€™

 

 

 

         b.            ix maria bring cake three. see ix(loc)

         โ€˜Maria brought three cakes, here they are.โ€™

 

In some cases, the different positions of the cardinal can convey different interpretations (SYNTAX 4.3.3). 

         A less common pattern involves the reduplication of the cardinal, before and after the noun, as in the example below.

 

         three cake three

         โ€˜Three cakesโ€™