Page:Adapting and Writing Language Lessons.pdf/264

Grammar

29. (f) The part of the simple sentence that is most likely to arouse comment from foreigners is the system of 'classifiers'.

A 'classifier' is one of a special list of about 200 nouns which are used in constructions to enumerate or specify other nouns.

Each classifier is normally used with a large number of nouns of very different meanings, and there is frequently no observable connection between the classifier and its noun.

Fortunately, for limited purposes there are about 50 very common classifiers that will take care of most of our needs. Some of these are of very high frequency:, , , etc.

an khan khrŷaŋ baj hɛ̀ɛn lêm