Universal #1187

Legacy number: 1187

 Number  1183
 Original  Basic word orders OSV and OVS do not occur at all, while SVO, SOV, VSO, and VOS are all attested.
 Standardized  Basic word orders OSV and OVS do not occur at all, while SVO, SOV, VSO, and VOS are all attested.

That is:
IF the object precedes the subject in basic order, THEN the verb is initial.
 Formula  OS ⇒ #V
 Keywords  order, verb, subject, object
 Domain  syntax
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  absolute
 Basis  languages in Pullum 1977
 Source  Pullum 1977: 269

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Discussion
Counterexamples
OVS languages: Apalaí, Arekuna-Taupilang, Bacairí, Hianacoto-Umaua, Hixkaryana, Makushi, Panare (all Carib), Asuriní (Kariri-Tupi) (Derbyshire 1977, Derbyshire & Pullum 1981); Wajana (Carib) (Howell 1982); Barasano (Tucanoan) (Pullum 1981); Coos (Coosan) (Greenberg 1963: 110).OSV languages: Apurinã (Arawakan), Nadëb (Makú), Urubú (Tupi), Xavante (Gê) (Derbyshire & Pullum 1981); Kabardian (North Caucasian), Hurrian (isolate) (Polinskaja 1987: 89, 1989)
Notes
Cf. statements by Greenberg and Keenan: ##490, 1516.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
Cf. statements by Greenberg and Keenan: <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=490"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">, <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=1516"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">.