Cardinal numerals. A syntax-semantics interface analysis

While constituting a semantically homogeneous class, cardinal numerals crosslinguistically
display a rich variety of morphosyntactic properties. An approach
to such variation, with the aim of identifying a limited range of morphosyntactic
statuses to which these properties are related, has been taken through the
application of the Role and Reference Grammar (RRG) descriptive-interpretive
model. Among the different statuses are those prototypically held by major
categories, like nouns and verbs. However, the non-alignment hypothesis
within RRG, according to which ontological, lexical and syntactic categories
do not necessarily overlap, allows the occurrence of numerals as nucleus of a
reference phrase, or nucleus of a clause, to be accounted for. While pointing out
elements of similarity in the morphosyntax of numerals and other word classes,
the analysis highlights crucial divergences between numerals and adjectives, a
word class numerals are frequently equated to in the literature. The languages
mentioned here belong to diverse typological and genetic groupings.