Universal #490

Legacy number: 490

 Number  488
 Original  In declarative sentences with nominal subject and object, the dominant order is always one in which the subject precedes the object.
 Standardized  In declarative sentences with nominal subject and object, the dominant order is always one in which the subject precedes the object.
 Keywords  declarative sentence, order, subject, object
 Domain  syntax
 Type  unconditional
 Status  achronic
 Quality  absolute
 Basis  30 languages of Greenberg 1963 sample
 Source  Greenberg 1963: 77, #1

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Discussion
Counterexamples
Languages with VOS, OVS, and OSV orders:mentioned by Greenberg himself, 1963: 110:VOS: Siuslaw (isolate), VOS: Coeur d’Alene (Salish), OVS: Coos (Coosan).VOS: Malagasy, Batak [Toba dialect], Fijian, Gilbertese (all Malayo-Polynesian), Tzeltal (Mayan), Otomi (Oto-Manguean), Ineseño Chumash (Hokan), Baure (Arawakan), Tzotzil, Kekchi (both Mayan), Tsou (Formosan, Austronesian) (Keenan 1978);Huave (isolate) (Pickett 1983: 536); Cakchiqel, Chol, Huastec, Mopan, Pocoman, Pocomchi, Quiche, Tojolabal (all Mayan), Ojibwa (Algonquian) (Pullum 1981). OVS:Apalaí, Arekuna-Taupilang, Bacairí, Hianacoto-Umaua, Hixkaryana, Makushi, Panare (all Carib ), Asuriní (Tupi) (Derbyshire 1977, Derbyshire & Pullum 1981); Wajana (Carib) (Howell 1982); Barasano (Tucanoan) (Pullum 1981).OSV: Apurinã (Arawakan), Nadëb (Makú), Urubú (Tupi), Xavante (Gê) (Derbyshire 1977, Derbyshire & Pullum 1981); Kabardian (North Caucasian), Hurrian (isolate) (Polinskaja 1987: 89, 1989).
Notes
Cf. statements of Pullum’s and Keenan’s: ##1187, 1516.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
Cf. statements of Pullum's and Keenan's: <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=1187"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">, <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=1516"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">.