 One proposed explanation for the existence of count @-@ classifiers is that they serve more of a cognitive purpose than a practical one : in other words , they provide a linguistic way for speakers to organize or categorize real objects . An alternative account is that they serve more of a discursive and pragmatic function ( a communicative function when people interact ) rather than an abstract function within the mind . Specifically , it has been proposed that count @-@ classifiers might be used to mark new or unfamiliar objects within a discourse , to introduce major characters or items in a story or conversation , or to foreground important information and objects by making them bigger and more salient . In this way , count @-@ classifiers might not serve an abstract grammatical or cognitive function , but may help in communication by making important information more noticeable and drawing attention to it . 
