Universal #384

Legacy number: 384

 Number  383
 Original  The more topic-prominent a language, the fewer subject-creating constructions it will have.
 Standardized  The higher the topic-prominence, the fewer subject-creating constructions.
 Keywords  topic, subject
 Domain  syntax, pragmatics
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  absolute
 Basis  a sample of 30 languages, see Gundel 1988: 210
 Source  Gundel 1988: 232

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Discussion
Notes
Subject-creating constructions include relation-changing constructions like passives, various “raising to subject” sentences like (1b) and (2b), and “have constructions” like (3b):(1) a. It seems that your battery is dead. b. Your battery seems to be dead. (Subject to Subject);(2) a. It is difficult to talk to George. b. George is difficult to talk to. (Object to Subject);(3) a. There is a fly in my soup. b. My soup has a fly in it.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
Subject-creating constructions include relation-changing constructions like passives, various "raising to subject" sentences like (1b) and (2b), and 'have constructions" like (3b):
<table class="textTable">
<tr>
<td>(1)</td>
<td>a. It seems that your battery is dead.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>b. Your battery seems to be dead. (Subject to Subject);</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(2)</td>
<td>a. It is difficult to talk to George.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>b. George is difficult to talk to. (Object to Subject);</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(3)</td>
<td>a. There is a fly in my soup.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>b. My soup has a fly in it.</td>
</table>