Universal #1290
Legacy number: 1290
| Number | 1286 |
| Original | The Animated First Principle (AFP): In simple transitive clauses, the NP which is most animated will precede NPs which are less animated. |
| Standardized | The Animated First Principle (AFP): In simple transitive clauses, the NP which is most animate will precede NPs which are less animate. |
| Keywords | order, noun, animacy, transitive clause |
| Domain | syntax |
| Type | unconditional |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | statistical |
| Basis | 1063 languages in Tomlin 1986 sample, see Tomlin 1986: 155-259; |
| Source | Tomlin 1986: 102 |
Discussion
Counterexamples
According to Tomlin, the Animated First Principle will not be realized in languages whose basic word order is VOS, OVS or OSV.
Notes
1. The Animatedness Hierarchy: human > other animate > inanimate; agent > benefactive/dative > patient; more animated > less animated.2. The Animated First Principle (AFP) relates to Tomlin’s Theme First Principle (TFP, cf. #382) and his Verb-Object Bonding (cf. #1291). Tomlin differentiates between universals and principles; it “should not be construed as an ‘absolute’ linguistic universal, but rather as one of a set of forces which interact to product the distribution of the basic constituent order types.” (Tomlin 1986: 102)Therefore Tomlin 1986: 124 also formulates the Principle of Maximal Realization (MRP): “The ideal basic constituent order for a given verb position is one in which the three principles, AFP, TFP, and VOB are maximized.”
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<tr>
<td>1.</td>
<td>THE ANIMATEDNESS HIERARCHY:</td>
<td>human > other animate > inanimate;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>agent > benefactive/dative > patient;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> </td>
<td> </td>
<td>more animated > less animated.</td>
</tr>
</table>
2. The Animated First Principle (AFP) relates to Tomlin's Theme First Principle (TFP, cf. <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=382"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">) and his Verb-Object Bonding (cf. <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=1291"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">). Tomlin differentiates between universals and principles; it "should not be construed as an 'absolute' linguistic universal, but rather as one of a set of forces which interact to product the distribution of the basic constituent order types." (Tomlin 1986: 102) Therefore Tomlin 1986: 124 also formulates the Principle of Maximal Realization (MRP): "The ideal basic constituent order for a given verb position is one in which the three principles, AFP, TFP, and VOB are maximized."