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Universal 1909:

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 1909:

Original
If a language allows for the marker of predicative possession to be part of the range of functions covered by the marker of instrumental, then, with only a very few exceptions, at least one additional function that is not equivalent to the comitative is involved in the combination.
Standardized
IF the marker of predicative possession is allowed to be part of the range of functions covered by the marker of instrumental, THEN at least one additional function that is not equivalent to the comitative is involved in the combination.
Keywords
case, comitative, instrumental, predicative possession
Domain
inflection, syntax
Type
implication
Status
achronic
Quality
statistical
Basis
65 European languages
Source
Stolz 2001: 331
Counterexamples

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    1. This supports the idea that the relationship that holds between instrumental and possessive is a mediated one, that is, there needs to be a kind of bridging function that provides the link between the two (basic) functions. (Stolz 2001: 331) 2. Cf. also the “observation that incoherent instrumental relators in general show a stronger tendency to syncretism than incoherent comitatives.” (Stolz 1996: 170) 3. Cf. ##1911-1913.

    1. May 2020

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