Contact-Induced Complexification in the Gender System of Istro-Romanian

Abstract The paper provides the first description of borrowing Croatian collective numerals into Northern Istro-Romanian and explores consequences this for morphosyntax recipient language. It argues that under examination, which are specified as nominative plural feminine in Slavic model, took on a different structural specification Romance replica, way led to restructuring morphosyntactic system, introducing (sub)gender overdifferentiation just two agreement targets and, thereby, complexification area grammar. illustration change is placed against background other contact-induced changes grammatical gender has undergone during 20th century, have dedicated forms distinct inflectional cells rise separate defective values, each replica one number value neuter.