Among the most important morphological implications of the active languages are the following: diathesis of the active verb differentiates between centrifugal and non-centrifugal versions; nominal category of possession which distinguishes forms of alienable and inalienable possession; Aktionsart gradations of the verb in lieu of temporal ones.
Standardized
IF alignment is predominantly active, THEN (i) verbal diathesis is in terms of centrifugal vs. non-centrifugal versions, (ii) possession in nouns is distinguished as alienable vs. inalienable, (iii) Aktionsart is distinguished on verbs rather than tense.
1. Klimov stated the correlation between inalienable possession and stative-active languages. Nichols claims a correlation between alienable/inalienable opposition and head-marking possession (#1590). Nichols explains the association with the stative-active type as follows: since stative-active languages are generally head-marking (#437), it is to be expected that they will have head-marked possession in particular, and if they have head-marked possession it is to be expected that they will have an alienable/inalienable opposition (Nichols 1992: 122). [Why this latter expectation? ]2. All of Klimov’s implications and frequentalia have a diachronic dimension, since class, active, ergative, accusative types are conceived of as developmental stages, following upon each other in this sequence.
1. Klimov stated the correlation between inalienable possession and stative-active languages. Nichols claims a correlation between alienable/inalienable opposition and head-marking possession (#1590). Nichols explains the association with the stative-active type as follows: since stative-active languages are generally head-marking (#437), it is to be expected that they will have head-marked possession in particular, and if they have head-marked possession it is to be expected that they will have an alienable/inalienable opposition (Nichols 1992: 122). [Why this latter expectation? ]2. All of Klimov’s implications and frequentalia have a diachronic dimension, since class, active, ergative, accusative types are conceived of as developmental stages, following upon each other in this sequence.