Universal #69
Legacy number: 69
| Number | 69 |
| Original | If a language has Prep word order, then if the adjective follows the noun, the genitive follows the noun. |
| Standardized | IF there are prepositions, THEN IF the adjective follows the noun, THEN the genitive follows the noun. |
| Formula | Prep ⇒ (N A ⇒ N G) |
| Keywords | order, preposition, adjective, noun, attributive, genitive |
| Domain | syntax |
| Type | nested implication |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | statistical |
| Basis | sample of 350 languages in Hawkins 1983 |
| Source | Hawkins 1979: 627; Hawkins 1980: 202; Hawkins 1983: 66 |
Discussion
Counterexamples
1. Hawkins 1983: 67 himself mentions four languages as Prep & N A & GN: Kaliai-Kove, Gitua (both E. Malayo-Polynesian, Austronesian); Arapesh (Toricelli); Karen (Tibeto-Burman, Sino-Tibetan). They are all SVO, and therefore Hawkins adds an additional constraint to the implication: see #70. 2. Prep & NA & GN: Kilivila (Oceanic, Austronesian); Garawa (Garawan, Australian) (Dryer 1991, 2000). Bwe Karen, Sgaw Karen (Karen, Tibeto-Burman); Hmong Njua (Miao-Yao), Buru, Nuaulu, Alune, Paulohi, Tetun (Central Malayo-Polynesian, Austronesian); Kaliai-Kove, Patep, Kilivila (Oceanic, Austronesian); Irarutu, Taba, Mor (South Halmahera-NW New Guinea); Sahu, West Makian (Noth Halmaheran); Abun (Birds Head, West Papuan); Arapesh (Toricelli); Palikur (Maipuran, Arawak); Mataco (Mataco) (Dryer 2000).
Notes
1. Dryer 1988: 198: “There is no clear evidence for the correlation between Adposition-Noun and Adjective-Noun order.”Dryer 1988: 200: “There is no clear evidence for the correlation between Genitive-Noun and Adjective-Noun order.” 2. Since the 1990s, Hawkins proposes alternative explanations of his universals (see e.g. Hawkins 1993: 234).
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2. Since the 1990s, Hawkins proposes alternative explanations of his universals (see e.g. Hawkins 1993: 234).