Universal #1545
Legacy number: 1545
| Number | 1541 |
| Original | In verb-initial languages, all major NPs may be case marked, but it is very common for most major NPs to carry little or no nominal case marking. |
| Standardized | IF word order is verb-initial, THEN it is very common for most major NPs to carry little or no nominal case marking. |
| Formula | verb-initial ⇒ little or no nominal case-marking |
| Keywords | order, verb-initial, case-marking |
| Domain | inflection, syntax |
| Type | implication |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | statistical |
| Basis | unknown |
| Source | unpublished statements of Keenan’s, reproduced in D.Payne 1990 |
Discussion
Counterexamples
In Tongan (Eastern Malayo-Polynesian), Nandi (Bantoid, Niger-Congo) major NPs appear to be case-marked (D. Payne 1990:13).
Notes
Cf. Keenan’s claim about subject-final languages in #1520.
Comment
Cf. Keenan's claim about subject-final languages in <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=1520"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">.
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