Reduplication is . . . used to express the diminutive of nouns, the idea of a playful performance of an activity, and the endeavor to perform an action. It would seem that in all these forms we have the fundamental idea of an approach to a certain concept without its realization. In all these cases the reduplication is combined with the use of suffixes which differentiate between diminution, imitation, and endeavor.1

The feeling is sometimes registered in language that objects of different kinds should not be counted with the same numerals, and we may find as many as seven classes of numerals for as many divisions of objects. "In Tsimshian one of these classes is used for simple counting. The others designate flat, round, long objects; human beings; canoes; measures."2

1Boasn/an/an/an/an/an/a, , 1: 444–445.

2Ibid., 1: 396–398.