Countable Objects. Prototypes of countable objects are construed as plural, in that one individuated quantity of a countable object's prototype is perceptually different from another quantity and from the prototype itself. Countable prototypes are indicated by certain referents, notably plural markers following verbs and nonsubject nouns, and quantifiers like `ca ‘how(ever) many'. One type of quantization selects a singular object from a plural prototype. Singular objects are indicated by different referents than plural ones.

Subtypes of countable nouns arise from the types of changes and qualities that may occur with them; major subtypes include animate, biotic, inherently plural, and ideophonic objects.