Marked Numeral-classifier Structure

This paper attempts to illustrate the theory of markedness from a broad view, and apply it to the research on numeral-restricted numeral-classifier structure. Numeral-unrestricted numeral-classifier structure, as an unmarked item, is named Unmarked Numeral-classifier Structure. Numeral-restricted numeral-classifier structure, as a marked item, is called Marked Numeral-classifier Structure. This paper aims to probe into the characteristics of marked numeral-classifier structure by means of contrast between them. For this purpose, it describes the forms and meanings of different marked numeral-classifier structures, and explores into the causes of its formation from the perspectives of psychological cognition and social culture. In the introduction, this paper presents the object of study, its structure and approaches employed. From the first to the fourth part, it illustrates the forms and meanings of the following typical structures: marked NC, NCV, VNC, NCA and the overlapping form of NC. In the fifth part, it summarizes the characteristics of marked numeral-classifier structure. In the sixth part, it theoretically analyzes the relevant issues. The following statement summarizes the results of this discussion: Numeral-restricted numeral-classifier structure contains special form with special meaning, whose characteristics, contrary to numeral-unrestricted numeral-classifier structure, can be explained in light of the expanded theory of markedness. Marked numeral-classifier structure expresses non-measured meaning by using measured linguistic form. The components of such numeral-classifier structure are not typical under most circumstances, whose formation is always de-familiar. Marked numeral-classifier structure is the product of both linquistic and extra-linquistic elements.