words for words and languages

[Martin Haase]

Basque has _hitz_ meaning 'word' and 'language', but nowadays the word
_hizkuntza_ (a modern derivative of _hitz_) is used for 'language'
(something like 'wordage'), but _hitz_ shows up in _hitz egin_ 'make
word/language', i.e. 'speak'. Basque has a number category (singular,
plural, both marked), but also a transnumeral (in non-locative cases
unmarked), _hitz_ in _hitz egin_ is a transnumeral form.
Best wishes,
Martin



Martin.Haase at split.uni-bamberg.de * http://www.martinhaase.de/
Lehrstuhl Romanische Sprachwissenschaft, D-96045 Bamberg
Tel.: +49-951-863-2147, Fax: -5148, Tel./Fax: +49-700-54648478