Category: Universals Archive

Universal 1233: complex form (locative) ⇒ from simple adposition (locative) Original All languages have at least one so-called “primitive” adposition which specifies location. If there…

Universal 1249: Original Hierarchy of consonants that have the greatest tone-raising or tone-lowering effect: implosive > voiceless aspirated > voiceless unaspirated > sonant > voiced…

Universal 1265: assimilation of front vowels ⇒ assimilation of back vowels Original Assimilation of front vowels implies assimilation of back vowels. Standardized IF there is…

Universal 1281: Original If the direct object is marked when its referent is indefinite, it is also marked when its referent is definite or unique.…

Universal 1297: Original For the languages with both the passive and resultative, the following implication could be suggested: if an agentive object is forbidden in…

Universal 1313: Head-Modifier ⇒ Given name-Family name;Modifier-Head ⇒ Family name-Given name Original There is a tendency that, in postspecifying languages (i.e., specified-specifier, head-modifier), the order…

Universal 1329: Original There are gaps, asymmetries, or “configurational pressures” in every phonological system, no matter when examined. Standardized There are gaps, asymmetries, or “configurational…

Universal 1345: OV ⇒ Manner adverb – V;VO ⇒ V – Manner adverb Original Manner adverbs overwhelmingly precede the verb in OV languages and generally…

Universal 1361: Original If the multiplier follows the multiplicand in a particular numeral, it follows in all higher numerals which are expressed by multiplication. Where…

Universal 1377: verb (in FGD of semantic specificity n) ⇒ verb (in FGD of semantic specificity n-1) Original Bridging Verb Hierarchy: If a bridging verb…