Category: Universals Archive

Universal 1295: unobservable > irreversible observable > monovalent reversible > bivalent locational Original Hierarchy of resultative formation:unobservable > irreversible observable > monovalent reversible > bivalent…

Universal 1311: SOV ⇒ causative affixes on V are suffixed Original If a language has SOV, causative affixes on verb (if any) are suffixed with…

Universal 1327: Original Every human language makes use of distinction of vowel color. Standardized Every human language makes use of distinction of vowel color. Keywords…

Universal 1343: O V ⇒ PP V;V O ⇒ V PP Original Adpositional phrases more often precede the verb in OV languages and more often…

Universal 1359: Original The maximum number of sporadic factors is two. Standardized In numeral systems, the maximum number of sporadic factors is two. Keywords numeral…

Universal 1375: matrix filler & gap (subordinate clause of complexity n containing gap) ⇒ matrix filler & gap (subordinate clause of complexity n containing no…

Universal 1391: Original The chronological ordering of tense neutralization in a subjunctive or semantically comparable category is always unidirectional: the future-nonfuture contrast is neutralized first,…

Universal 1407: Original General irregularities in the constituency of the numerals immediately precede and follow the base. Standardized IF there are irregularities in the constituency…

Universal 1423: Original Secondary fricatives are the results of diachronic developments from clusters. Standardized Secondary fricatives are the results of diachronic developments from clusters. Keywords…

Universal 1439: Original Every one of the seven metapersons, i.e. ‘speaker’, ‘hearer’, ‘non-participant’, ‘speaker + hearer(s)’, ‘speaker + non-participant(s)’, ‘hearer(s) + non-participant(s)’, ‘speaker + hearer(s)…