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Universal 617:

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 617:

Original
Whenever a language has both a more explicit and less explicit way of forming relative clauses, then the more explicit type will be used lower down the hierarchy and the less explicit type higher up the hierarchy.
Standardized
IF there are two ways of forming relative clauses, THEN the more explicit type will be used lower down the hierarchy and the less explicit type higher up the hierarchy.
Keywords
accessibility hierarchy, relative clause
Domain
syntax
Type
no genuine implication; rather: provided that
Status
achronic
Quality
absolute
Basis
105 languages in Comrie’s sample
Source
Comrie 1981: 156
Counterexamples

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    The generalization has a functional basis: the more difficult a position is to relativize, the more explicit indication is given of what position is being relativized, to facilitate recovery of this information.

    1. May 2020

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