Universal #258
Legacy number: 258
| Number | 258 |
| Original | In ergative languages the subject is characterized by its autonomous position in the sentence: first of all, subject and predicate are in marginal positions: the former left, the latter right; between subject and predicate there is a special rhythmic-intonational break; and in contrast to the almost unmarked direct object, the subject has a special morphological marker. |
| Standardized | IF alignment is predominantly ergative, THEN (i) subject is initial and verb final, (ii) subject and predicate are separated intonationally, (iii) object tends to be morphologically unmarked, and (iv) subject has a special morphological marker. |
| Keywords | alignment, ergative, order, subject, direct object, intonation |
| Domain | phonology, morphology, syntax |
| Type | implication |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | absolute |
| Basis | different language families in Klimov 1973 |
| Source | Klimov 1973: 79 |
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