Universal #94
Legacy number: 94
| Number | 94 |
| Original | The (non)use of a copula conforms to a hierarchy of predication: Action word (verb) < Property word (adjective) < Object word (noun).<br> For instance if copula form is required for any member of the hierarchy in a specific language, then it is required for any member to the right of the hierarchy. |
| Standardized | IF an overt copula is required for a predicate that is an action word (verb), THEN it is required for a predicate that is a property word (adjective). IF an overt copula is required for a predicate that is a property word (adjective), THEN it is required for a predicate that is an object word (noun). |
| Formula | Object word (noun) > Property word (adjective) > Action word (verb) |
| Keywords | copula, verb, adjective, noun, predication |
| Domain | syntax |
| Type | implicational hierarchy |
| Status | achronic |
| Quality | absolute |
| Basis | languages mentioned in Croft 1991 |
| Source | Croft 1991: 130, Croft 1995a: 506 |
Discussion
Counterexamples
Mangarayi (Gunwingguan, Australian) violates this predication hierarchy (Newmeyer 1998a: 175, p.c. W. Croft)
Notes
The same hierarchy is found for verbalization strategies for intransitive main predicates (Stassen 1992), here #911.
Comment
The same hierarchy is found for verbalization strategies for intransitive main predicates (Stassen 1992), here <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=911"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">
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