Universal 570: definite article is grammaticalized in subject NPs ⇒ definite article is grammaticalized in direct object NPs ⇒ definite article is grammaticalized in prepositionally marked NPs

Universal 570: definite article is grammaticalized in subject NPs ⇒ definite article is grammaticalized in direct object NPs ⇒ definite article is grammaticalized in prepositionally marked NPs

Original

The definite article is not grammaticalized (made obligatory) in prepositionally marked NPs unless it is also grammaticalized in (direct) object NPs; and it is not grammaticalized in (direct) object NPs unless it is also grammaticalized in subject NPs.

Standardized

IF the definite article is grammaticalized in subject NPs, THEN it is also grammaticalized in direct object NPs.
IF the definite article is grammaticalized in direct object NPs, THEN it is also grammaticalized in prepositionally marked NPs.

Keywords

article, grammaticalization, PP, direct object NP, subject NP

Domain

inflection, syntax

Type

implicational hierarchy

Status

diachronic

Quality

absolute

Basis

unspecified

Source

Renzi 1992: 161-176

Counterexamples