Universal #1107
Legacy number: 1107
| Number | 1103 |
| Original | If there is a bound vs. free split, the bound prefixes will be accusative, and case marking on free forms will be ergative. |
| Standardized | Whenever there is an alignment split between bound and free pronouns, bound (i.e. agreement) forms are more likely to align accusatively, while case marking on free forms is more likely to align ergatively. |
| Keywords | agreement, alignment, split, case, ergative, accusative |
| Domain | inflection, syntax |
| Type | unconditional |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | absolute |
| Basis | languages surveyed in Dixon 1995 |
| Source | Dixon 1979: 92, Dixon 1995: 95 |
Discussion
Counterexamples
Guajajara (Tupi): free forms cross-reference the nominative, bound forms are split, and often agree with the absolutive (Harrison 1986: 425).
Notes
1. Dixon gives two examples for this distribution: Murinypata (Daly, Australian) and Gahuku (Trans-New Guinea). 2. A. Harris 1997: 372 mentions one more example of this type: Udi (Lezgian, E. Caucasian) has case marking with ergative alignment and verb agreement with accusative alignment. She adds: “... it is not very likely that Dixon could have been aware of [this example] in forming his generalization”.
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2. A. Harris 1997: 372 mentions one more example of this type: Udi (Lezgian, E. Caucasian) has case marking with ergative alignment and verb agreement with accusative alignment. She adds: "... it is not very likely that Dixon could have been aware of [this example] in forming his generalization".