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Article published In: Proper Names:
Edited by Chia-Jung Pan and Yang Huang
[Asian Languages and Linguistics 6:1] 2025
► pp. 183–202

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Proper names in Khorchin Mongolian

Taxonomy, definiteness and plurality

 | Central University of Finance and EconomicsBeijing
 | Zhejiang UniversityHangzhou
Published online: 19 August 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1075/alal.25007.he
Abstract
This paper discusses the taxonomy of proper names and analyses the grammatical features of proper names in Khorchin Mongolian. We argue that (i) although proper names in Khorchin Mongolian are inherent definite, but they can be coerced with an indefinite reading when combining with the indefinite article nək in existential sentences. In addition, proper names can also combine with demonstratives to derive complex expressions like “Dem+Proper name”, which express the speaker’s subjective attitude, such as derogation or contempt; (ii) when attached to proper names, the additive plural marker -ut can convey associative plural meaning, and when added to proper names, the additive plural marker -tʃut can also convey a collective meaning, referring to a specific ethnic group or tribe.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Classification of proper names in Khorchin Mongolian
    • 2.1Names for humans
    • 2.2Place names and names of administrative divisions
    • 2.3Names of rivers and mountains
    • 2.4Names of five livestock (五畜)
  • 3.Definiteness of proper names
    • 3.1Bare form of proper names
    • 3.2Demonstratives + proper names
  • 4.Proper names and plurality
    • 4.1Additive meaning for plural proper names
    • 4.2Associative plural meaning for proper names
    • 4.3Collective meaning for plural names
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
References (21)
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