Universal #966

Legacy number: 966

 Number  962
 Original  The more distinct the definite article form is from demonstratives, the more likely its position relative to the noun will correlate with the order of verb and object.
 Standardized  IF the definite article is distinct from demonstratives and object follows verb, THEN the definite article precedes the noun.

IF the definite article is distinct from demonstratives and object precedes verb, THEN the definite article follows the noun.
 Formula  (DefArt ≠ Dem) & VO ⇒ DefArt N;
(DefArt ≠ Dem) & OV ⇒ N DefArt
 Keywords  definite article, demonstrative, order, verb, object, noun
 Domain  syntax
 Type  implication
 Status  achronic
 Quality  statistical
 Basis  sample of 125 languages in Dryer 1989a
 Source  Dryer 1989a: 90, cited in Plank & Moravcsik 1996: 198

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Discussion
Notes
Cf. #969. This suggests that the correlation between the order of article and noun and that of verb and object may be strongest for articles which are categorically more distinct from other words.
Comment
Frans Plank · 3 Aug 2006
Cf. <a class="innerLink" href="browse.php?entry_id=969"><img src="../img/entry.gif" border="0">
This suggests that the correlation between the order of article and noun and that of verb and object may be strongest for articles which are categorically more distinct from other words.