Universal #270
Legacy number: 270
| Number | 269 |
| Original | If in a language there is a special distinction of animate and inanimate (personal and non-personal) nouns connected with a regular syncretism in the expression of these categories, then it is always the expression of the inanimate (non-personal) that is connected with the syncretism of forms. |
| Standardized | When nouns are distinguished as animate/personal and inanimate/impersonal and there is some (non-accidental) syncretism of this opposition, animate/personal forms will win out. |
| Keywords | animacy, noun, syncretism |
| Domain | inflection, syntax |
| Type | no genuine implication; rather: provided that |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | absolute |
| Basis | unspecified |
| Source | Uspensky 1968: 14 [Uspensky 1972: 68]; see Vardul’ 1969, referring to Uspensky |
Discussion
Notes
Is this, as reformulated in Standardized, what is meant? Or are inanimate/impersonal forms supposed to win out?
Comment
Is this, as reformulated in Standardized, what is meant? Or are inanimate/impersonal forms supposed to win out?
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