The Tensedness Universals of Adjective Encoding: A. If a language is tensed, it will have nouny adjectives. If a language has nouny adjectives, it will be tensed.
Standardized
IF there is tensedness, THEN adjectives are nouny. IF adjectives are nouny, THEN there is tensedness.
Tensed verbal system and a verby encoding of predicative adjectives: Sinhalese (Indo-Iranian, IE), Malagasy (Barito, Western Malayo-Polynesian);tensed verbal system and a verby-nouny split in encoding of predicative adjectives: Jiwadja, Maung (both Yiwaidjan, Australian);verby encoding of predicative adjectives and (primarily) tense-oriented: Abkhaz, Abaza, Ubykh (North-West Caucasian);non-tensed and predominantly nouny encoding of adjectives: Motu, Balawaia, Loniu (all Oceanic, Malayo-Polynesian), Yabem (Trans-New Guinea); non-tensed and nouny encoding of predicative adjectives: Margi (Chadic, Afro-Asiatic), Tubu (Nilo-Saharan);non-tensed and predominantly nonverbal encoding of predicative adjectives: Wichita (Caddoan)(Stassen 1997);possible counterexamples: Guugu Yimidhirr (Yalanjic, Pama-Nyungan), Dyirbal (Dyirbalic, Pama-Nyungan), and Uradhi (Paman, Pama-Nyungan) [but see Comment 1]
1. Guugu Yimidhirr, Dyirbal and Uradhi pose a problem for Tensedness Universal (TU): one could conclude that predicative adjectives in these languages are verby. This conclusion would make Dyirbal a regular confirmation of TU, as this is a non-tensed language; however, Guugu Yimidhirr and Uradhi, which are clearly tensed, would be genuine counterexamples. Alternatively, one might rate these languages as nouny, on the basis of the case agreement exhibited by predicate adjectives. Under this option Dyirbal would constitute a counterexample to the TU, while the other two languages would emerge as regular. (Stassen 1997: 10.8) 2. There are several intermediate cases, i.e. languages which have mixed verbal systems and split encoding of predicative adjectives. In general, these are languages which are on the drift from one system to another. Conforming the TU, the drift in one of the systems (eg. verbal) is combined by the shift in encoding of predicative adjectives. (Stassen ibid.)3. Cf. #1032, 1012.
1. Guugu Yimidhirr, Dyirbal and Uradhi pose a problem for Tensedness Universal (TU): one could conclude that predicative adjectives in these languages are verby. This conclusion would make Dyirbal a regular confirmation of TU, as this is a non-tensed language; however, Guugu Yimidhirr and Uradhi, which are clearly tensed, would be genuine counterexamples. Alternatively, one might rate these languages as nouny, on the basis of the case agreement exhibited by predicate adjectives. Under this option Dyirbal would constitute a counterexample to the TU, while the other two languages would emerge as regular. (Stassen 1997: 10.8) 2. There are several intermediate cases, i.e. languages which have mixed verbal systems and split encoding of predicative adjectives. In general, these are languages which are on the drift from one system to another. Conforming the TU, the drift in one of the systems (eg. verbal) is combined by the shift in encoding of predicative adjectives. (Stassen ibid.)3. Cf. #1032, 1012.