Typologizing nominal expressions: the noun phrase and beyond

Abstract This article develops foundations for a new typology of nominal expressions. Despite the significant diversity attested in languages around world, view traditionally and sometimes still found holds that either have ‘classic’, rigidly structured noun phrases (NPs) or lack them. A simple dichotomy, however, does not adequately represent language-internal crosslinguistic forms functions While many linguists may fact think such binary terms, comprehensive is wanting. offers towards typology, with particular emphasis on diversity. within has received little attention previous studies, even while it reveals much about actual complexity domain. Besides surveying structural types their motivating factors across as well from this approaches expressions also variety other perspectives to enrich our understanding includes approaching perspective word class systems diachronically. We round off by looking at impact orality-literacy dimensions communicative modes.