Universal #1212

Legacy number: 1212

 Number  1208
 Original  If a language incorporates nouns of only one semantic case, they will be patients of transitive verbs – whether the language is basically ergative, accusative, or agent/patient type. If a language incorporates only two types of arguments, they will be patients of transitive and intransitive verbs – again, regardless of the basic case structure of the language. Many languages additionally incorporate instruments and/or locations.
 Standardized  Regardless of relational alignment,
IF nouns in instrumental and/or locational relations can be incorporated into the verb, THEN nouns for patients of transitive and intransitive verbs can also be incorporated;
IF patients of intransitive verbs can be incorporated, THEN patients of transitive verbs can also be incorporated.
 Formula  incorporation of instruments and/or locations ⇒ incorporation of patients of intransitive verbs ⇒ incorporation of patients of transitive verbs
 Keywords  incorporation, patient, location, instrument
 Domain  morphology, syntax
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  statistical
 Basis  over 100 languages in Mithun 1984a
 Source  Mithun 1984a: 875

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Discussion
Counterexamples
Notes
Cf. similar claims by Mardirussian and Kozinsky (##1213, 188). According to Sapir 1911, nouns denoting body parts incorporate most easily – and they would seem to be instrumental.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
Cf. similar claims by Mardirussian and Kozinsky (<a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=1213"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">, <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=188"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">). According to Sapir 1911, nouns denoting body parts incorporate most easily – and they would seem to be instrumental.