Universal #1430
Legacy number: 1430
| Number | 1426 |
| Original | In the majority of OV languages, adverbial clause always precede the main clause, unless they are extraposed for specific pragmatic reasons. In (almost) all VO and OV/VO languages, adverbial clauses may precede or follow the associated main clause. |
| Standardized | If the word order is OV, THEN adverbial clause always precede the main clause. If the word order is VO or OV/VO, THEN adverbial clause may precede or follow the main clause. |
| Formula | OV ⇒ Subordinate-Main; VO ⇒ Subordinate-Main & Main-Subordinate; OV/VO ⇒ Subordinate-Main & Main-Subordinate |
| Keywords | order, OV, VO, clause, main, subordinate |
| Domain | syntax |
| Type | implication |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | statistical |
| Basis | sample of 42 languages in Diessel 1999 |
| Source | Diessel 1999 |
Discussion
Counterexamples
Georgian (South Caucasian), Supyire (Gur, Niger-Congo), Persian, Punjabi (both Indo-Iranian): In these OV languages, adverbial clauses may precede or follow the associated main clause.For the second part: Cantonese (Sinitic, Sino-Tibetan).
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