Universal #802

Legacy number: 802

 Number  799
 Original  The Tensedness Universals of Adjective Encoding:
B. If a language is non-tensed, it will have verby adjectives.
If a language has verby adjectives, it will be non-tensed.
 Standardized  IF there is non-tensedness, THEN adjectives are verby.
IF adjectives are verby, THEN there is non-tensedness.
 Formula  non-tensedness ⇔ verby adjectives
 Keywords  predicative adjective, verb, tensed
 Domain  inflection, syntax
 Type  mutual implication
 Quality  statistical
 Basis  sample of 410 languages in Stassen 1997; sample of 115 languages in Wetzer 1996
 Source  Stassen 1997: 9.2; Wetzer 1996: 285

← Back to Universals Archive

Discussion
Counterexamples
Non-tensed and predominantly nouny encoding of adjectives: Motu, Balawaia, Loniu (all Oceanic, Malayo-Polynesian), Yabem (Trans-New Guinea); Non-tensed & nouny encoding of predicative adjectives: Margi (Chadic, Afro-Asiatic), Tubu (Nilo-Saharan);Non-tensed and predominantly nonverbal encoding of predicative adjectives: Wichita (Caddoan); Tensed verbal system and a verby encoding of predicative adjectives: Sinhalese (Indo-Iranian, IE), Malagasy (Barito, Western Malayo-Polynesian);Tensed verbal system and a verby-nouny split in encoding of predicative adjectives: Jiwadja, Maung (both Yiwaidjan, Australian);(primarily) tense-oriented verbal system and verby encoding of predicative adjectives: Abkhaz, Abaza, Ubykh (North-West Caucasian) (Stassen 1997);possible counterexamples: Guugu Yimidhirr (Yalanjic, Pama-Nyungan), Dyirbal (Dyirbalic, Pama-Nyungan), and Uradhi (Paman, Pama-Nyungan) [but see Comment 1]
Notes
1. Guugu Yimidhirr, Dyirbal and Uradhi (Australian) pose a problem for Tensedness Universal (TU): one could conclude that predicative adjectives in these languages are verby. This conclusion would make Dyirbal a regular confirmation of TU, as this is a non-tensed language; however, Guugu Yimidhirr and Uradhi, which are clearly tensed, would be genuine counterexamples. Alternatively, one might rate these languages as nouny, on the basis of the case agreement exhibited by predicate adjectives. Under this option Dyirbal would constitute a counterexample to the TU, while the other two languages would emerge as regular. (Stassen 1997: 10.8) 2. There are several intermediate cases, i.e. languages which have mixed verbal systems and split encoding of predicative adjectives. In general, these are languages which are on the drift from one system to another. Conforming the TU, the drift in one of the systems (e.g. verbal) is combined by the shift in encoding of predicative adjectives. (Stassen ibid.)3. Cf. #1031, 1001
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
1. Guugu Yimidhirr, Dyirbal and Uradhi (Australian) pose a problem for Tensedness Universal (TU): one could conclude that predicative adjectives in these languages are verby. This conclusion would make Dyirbal a regular confirmation of TU, as this is a non-tensed language; however, Guugu Yimidhirr and Uradhi, which are clearly tensed, would be genuine counterexamples. Alternatively, one might rate these languages as nouny, on the basis of the case agreement exhibited by predicate adjectives. Under this option Dyirbal would constitute a counterexample to the TU, while the other two languages would emerge as regular. (Stassen 1997: 10.8)

2. There are several intermediate cases, i.e. languages which have mixed verbal systems and split encoding of predicative adjectives. In general, these are languages which are on the drift from one system to another. Conforming the TU, the drift in one of the systems (e.g. verbal) is combined by the shift in encoding of predicative adjectives. (Stassen ibid.)

3. Cf. <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=1031"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">, <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=1000"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">