Universal #101

Legacy number: 101

 Number  101
 Original  If the possessive adjective follows the noun, then the descriptive adjective follows the noun.
 Standardized  IF the possessive adjective follows the noun, THEN the descriptive adjective follows the noun.

OR, EQUVALENTLY, BY CONTRAPOSITION:
IF the descriptive adjective precedes the noun, THEN the possessive adjective precedes the noun.
 Formula  N Poss ⇒ N A;
equivalently: A N ⇒ Poss N
 Keywords  order, possessive, noun, adjective
 Domain  syntax
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  statistical
 Basis  sample of 350 languages in Hawkins 1983
 Source  Hawkins 1983: 109

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Discussion
Counterexamples
N Poss & A N: Bukidnon (W. Malayo-Polynesian, Austronesian), Kapampangan (Philippine Austronesian) (Hawkins 1983: 110). Gbaya Kaka, Gbeya Bossangoa, Sango, Linda, Nzakara (Adamawa-Ubangian, Niger-Congo); Majang (Surmic, Nilo-Saharan), Aja (Bongo-Bagirmi, Nilo-Saharan); Pa’anci (West Chadic, Afro-Asiatic); Icelandic (N. Germanic, Indo-European), [Car] Nicobarese (Austroasiatic), Batad Ifugao (Philippine Austronesian), Muruwari (Pama-Nyungan, Australian) (Dryer 2000).
Notes
Since the 1990s, Hawkins proposes alternative explanations of his universals (see e.g. Hawkins 1993: 234).
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
Since the 1990s, Hawkins proposes alternative explanations of his universals (see e.g. Hawkins 1993: 234).