The mass-count distinction and classifier semantics in Tashkent Uzbek

Abstract The paper argues for the existence of the (NP-level) mass-count distinction in Tashkent Uzbek, an obligatory classifier dialect. Evidence is provided based on the distribution and interpretation of modifiers, classifiers, quantificational suffixes of different types, as well as properties of object mass nouns and granular aggregates. A formal analysis within Landman’s (2020) Iceberg Semantics is further provided that treats classifiers as sensitive to the mass-count distinction but not uniformly serving as ‘individuators’ of otherwise mass nouns.