Connecting /t/ in Maltese numerals

Abstract

We report on an experiment designed to shed light on the factors determining which forms of the Maltese numerals 2-10 occur in specific contexts, noting that there is little consensus on this topic in the previous literature. We focus on the properties of plural nouns that determine whether a preceding numeral takes a 'bare' form, as in żewġ 'two', or a /t/-form, as in żewġt. The key finding is that the type of onset of the plural noun is the main determining factor, with number of syllables and perhaps also the sound/broken-plural distinction contributing secondarily.