Universal 354: (s-V-o) & ¬(o-V-s) ⇒ verb-initial

Universal 354: (s-V-o) & ¬(o-V-s) ⇒ verb-initial

Original

In the languages where the verb agrees with subject and object, if there are forms like s-V-o, and there are no forms like o-V-s, then the dominant word order is one with the initial predicate position (VSO or VOS).

Standardized

Whenever there is verb agreement with subject and object, IF the orderings of agreement markers on verbs include s-V-o but not o-V-s, THEN basic word order is verb-initial (VSO or VOS).

Keywords

order, verb-initial, VSO, VOS, verb agreement, subject, object, affix-order

Domain

inflection, syntax

Type

implication

Status

achronic

Quality

statistical

Basis

languages surveyed in Kozinsky 1981

Source

Kozinsky 1981

Counterexamples

Akkadian (Semitic, Afro-Asiatic), Luo (Eastern Sudanic, Nilo-Saharan), Sora, Parengi, Juang (all Munda, Austro-Asiatic) (Kozinsky 1981)