Universal #88

Legacy number: 88

 Number  88
 Original  If a language has noun before demonstrative, then it has noun before relative clause.
 Standardized  IF the demonstrative follows the noun, THEN the relative clause follows the noun.

OR, BY CONTRAPOSITION:
IF the relative clause precedes the noun, THEN the demonstrative precedes the noun.
 Formula  N Dem ⇒ N Rel;
equivalently: Rel N ⇒ Dem N
 Keywords  order, relative clause, demonstrative, noun
 Domain  syntax
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  statistical, almost absolute
 Basis  sample of 350 languages in Hawkins 1983
 Source  Hawkins 1983: 83-84

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Discussion
Counterexamples
Rel N & N Dem: Basque (isolate) (Hawkins 1983: 84, Dryer 2000).Chaha (Semitic, Afro-Asiatic); [Modern Literary] Tibetan (Tibetic, Tibeto-Burman), Meithei, Ao, Tangkhul Naga, Bawm (Kuki-Chin-Naga, Tibeto-Burman), Achang, Akha, Hani, Lahu (Burmese-Lolo, Tibeto-Burman), Bai (Bai, Tibeto-Burman); Kobon (East New Guinea Highlands); Kombai (Central and South New Guinea); Yale (Mek, Trans-New Guinea) (Dryer 2000).
Notes
Since the 1990s, Hawkins has proposed alternative explanations of his universals (see e.g. Hawkins 1993: 234).
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
Since the 1990s, Hawkins has proposed alternative explanations of his universals (see e.g. Hawkins 1993: 234).