Distributive numerals in Basque

Abstract

This paper presents the first detailed study of distributive numerals in Basque. We show that Basque distributive numerals are subject to restrictions on the obligatory licensing plurality that are not attested for distributive numerals in other languages described in the literature. We analyse the Basque NPs headed by distributive numerals as syntactically deficient noun-phrases that are semantically incorporated with an added requirement that the event be an event plurality satisfying a particular cumulation condition. We analyse the non-rigidity condition on Basque distributive numerals as an ignorance/ indifference condition on the referent, not as a plurality condition on the referents of the distributive numeral.