Nouns and Noun Phrases - University of Macau Library

894 Syntax of Dutch: nouns and noun phrases
6.1.2.3. The position of the ordinal numeral within the noun phrase
Section 6.1.1.3 has shown that cardinal numerals are generated in the position NUM
in (75a), which accounts for the fact that these numerals in (75b) follow the
determiners but precede the nominal head and its attributive modifiers.
(75) a. [DP D [NUMP NUM [NP ... N ...]]]
b. Hij bewonderde die drie fraaie bomen.
he admired those three fine trees
As is shown in the (a)-examples in (76) the ordinal numerals normally occupy this
position as well. The noun phrase de derde ongetekende cheque can have two
different meanings depending on the intonation; when it is pronounced as one
intonational phrase, it is claimed that the check under discussion is the third
unsigned one; when the ordinal numeral and adjective are separated by an
intonation break, the check under discussion may be the only unsigned one (which
happens to be unchecked). The two cases differ syntactically in that in the second
case, the order of the attributive adjective and the ordinal numeral can be reversed.
Example (76b), which can be pronounced either with or without an intonation
break, is more or less synonymous with (76a′), but not with (76a).
(76) a. Hij stuurde de derde ongetekende cheque terug.
he sent the third unsigned check back
‘He sent back the third unsigned check.’
a′. Hij stuurde de derde, ongetekende cheque terug.
he sent the third, unsigned check back
‘He sent back the third check, which was not signed.’
b. Hij stuurde de ongetekende (,) derde cheque terug.
he sent the unsigned third check back
‘He sent back the third check, which was not signed.’
Normally speaking, the ordinal and cardinal numerals are in complementary
distribution, which suggests that the two compete for the same position NUM in
(75a). An exception must, of course, be made for those cases where the ordinal
numeral and the noun constitute a lexical unit. In those cases, the lexicalized form
can be preceded by a cardinal numeral, as in (77a). Another exception is given in
(77b): in this example the two numerals seems to make up a complex modifier,
which pick out the first/last two candidates in an ordered set. Example (77c) shows
that the ordinal numeral in these complex modifiers is restricted to eerste and
laatste; an ordinal like derde ‘third’ is excluded.
(77) a. de twee [N eerste ministers]
the two prime ministers
b. de [NUM eerste/laatste twee] kandidaten
the first/last two candidates
c. *de [NUM derde twee] kandidaten
the third two candidates