Numerus und Nominalaspekt

The study proceeds from the category of numerus in European article-languages, correlating it to a classification of noun meanings into 'contoured' and 'diffuse'. With a view to integrating those usages that deviate from this correlation, the author develops the category of 'noun aspect'. The origins of aspectual modes of meaning are viewed in relation to processes of grammaticalization. The historical precursors of these categories and processes are compared.