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Number Categories Beyond Singular
- Languages can mark exact counts beyond singular/plural, like dual (two) and trial (three).
- Paucals (a few) are relative and depend on context rather than fixed ranges.
Markedness And Historical Origins
- Markedness usually orders singular < plural < dual/trial/paucal in complexity.
- Duals and trials often derive historically from words for two and three.
General Number And Singularity
- Some languages use non-plural or a general number as the unmarked form, not singular.
- Languages may also have marked singulars (singularity) or collective bases with singular derived forms.