VOL. 54, BOOK 1, PART A, 2016, pp. 193 – 205 Full text (Bg)

Author: Krasimira Chakarova

Affiliation: Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv

Abstract

The current paper examines one specific use of the cardinal numbers in the contemporary Bulgarian language. It concerns the cases when cardinal numbers function as pre-modifying quantifiers in relation to two (or more) heads of the noun phrase linked with coordinating conjunctions, the first of which is masculine gender. The purpose of the research is to study the way in which native speakers perceive the semantics and grammatical accuracy of similar structures; to examine the reasons for ambiguity in some of the examples and to distinguish the types of phrases where structural semantic polysemy is avoided.

Key words: cardinal numerals, coordinating structures, quantifiers, structural semantic polysemy