Universal 1912:

Universal 1912:

Original

In addition to DAT/BEN objects, other object cases lower on the topicality hierarchy may also be “promoted” to DO — but always with obligatory verb-coding of the semantic role of the “promoted” object.

Standardized

IF Dative/Benefative objects can be promoted to direct object, THEN other object cases lower on the topicality hierarchy may also be “promoted” to direct object — but always with obligatory verb-coding of the semantic role of the “promoted” object.

Keywords

direct object, dative-shift, promotion

Domain

inflection, syntax

Type

implication

Status

achronic

Quality

absolute

Basis

languages surveyed in Givón 1984

Source

Givón 1984: 152

Counterexamples

Ob-Ugric (Ostyak, Vogul) (Irina Nikolaeva, p.c.)