Universal #1503

Legacy number: 1503

 Number  1499
 Original  Languages with serial verb constructions tend to have VO ordering with verb serialization and
one object per verb (but some permit two objects); they tend to be isolating, with little inflectional morphology. Syllable structure is typically simple, and many have lexical and/or grammatical tone distinctions.
 Standardized  IF there are serial verb constructions, THEN there will be VO ordering with verb serialization, one object per verb, isolating morphology, simple syllable structure, and lexical/or grammatical tone distinctions.
 Keywords  serial verb, order, isolating, syllable, tone
 Domain  prosodic phonology, morphology, syntax
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  statistical
 Basis  West African languages, Mandarin Chinese and languages of Southeast Asia and the Pacific mentioned in Lord 1993
 Source  Lord 1993: 235

← Back to Universals Archive

Discussion

No discussion yet.