Universal #1972

Legacy number: 1972

 Number  1966
 Original  Every language has at least one set of forms or constructions whose primary function (or one of several major functions) is to denote existence, generally with respect to location in space or time, but in the limiting case existence apart from specific location. In other words, every language has an existential element such as a verb or particle, and the denotation of existence is never merely a marginal function of something else.
 Standardized  Every language has at least one set of forms or constructions whose primary function (or one of several major functions) is to denote existence, generally with respect to location in space or time, but in the limiting case existence apart from specific location. In other words, every language has an existential element such as a verb or particle, and the denotation of existence is never merely a marginal function of something else.
 Keywords  verb, particle, existence
 Domain  syntax, semantics
 Type  unconditional
 Status  achronic
 Quality  absolute
 Basis  "widely held assumption"
 Source  Ferguson 1972: 78-79

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Discussion
Notes
Examples: French il y a, Hebrew yes, Chinese zai. <author>
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
Examples: French il y a, Hebrew yes, Chinese zai. <author>