Universal #114
Legacy number: 114
| Number | 114 |
| Original | There is a significant tendency for N Dem languages to have N Adj. |
| Standardized | IF nouns precede demonstratives, THEN nouns tend to precede adjectives also. |
| Formula | N Dem ⇒ N Adj |
| Keywords | order, noun, adjective, demonstrative |
| Domain | syntax |
| Type | implication |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | statistical |
| Basis | sample of 316 languages in Dryer 1988a |
| Source | Dryer 1988a: 208 |
Discussion
Counterexamples
N Dem & A N :Tojolabal and Tzotzil (both Mayan) (Pickett 1983: 543).Berbice Dutch Creole, Mangbetu (C. Sudanic, Nilo-Saharan) [but see Comments], the latter is also a language with A N & N Num (Rijkhoff 1992: 257). Gbaya Kaka, Nzakara, Gbeya Bossangoa, Sango, Linda (all Adamawa-Ubangian, Niger-Congo), Lahu (Burmic, Sino-Tibetan)[but see Comments], Dafla (Tibetic, Sino-Tibetan)[but see Comments], Nisgha, Coast Tsimshian (Tsimshianic), Majang (Surmic, Nilo-Saharan), Kresh (Bongo-Bagirmi, Nilo-Saharan), Gude (Biu-Mandara, Chadic), Hausa, Pa’anci (West Chadic), Chaha (Semitic), Central Agta (Philippine Austronesian), Jacaltec (Mayan) (Dryer 1989: 272, 2000).
Notes
1. The equivalent universal in Hawkins (1983), here #73, is claimed to be absolute.2. Cf. # 57. 3. Dryer 2000 no longer classifies Dafla (=Nishi) as A N & N Dem, but as A N & Dem N / N Dem. In fact the typical structure is Dem N Dem, with two co-occurring demonstrative words. Also, closer examination of Lahu shows it to be A N / N A, not A N. Dryer classifies Mangbetu as N A, not A N.
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2. Cf. <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=57"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">.
3. Dryer 2000 no longer classifies Dafla (=Nishi) as A N & N Dem, but as A N & Dem N / N Dem. In fact the typical structure is Dem N Dem, with two co-occurring demonstrative words. Also, closer examination of Lahu shows it to be A N / N A, not A N.
Dryer classifies Mangbetu as N A, not A N.