Category: Universals Archive

Universal 1319: Original Monomorphemic reflexives can take long-distance antecedents whereas polymorphemic reflexives cannot. Standardized IF a reflexive can take long-distance antecedents, THEN it is monomorphemic.…

Universal 1335: Original If we have an OSV basic order, then we also have SOV as an alternative order.If we have an OVS basic order,…

Universal 1351: Original Every superessive or possessive augend is a serialized augend. Standardized In numeral systems, every superessive or possessive augend is a serialized augend.…

Universal 1367: Original If grammatical number (singular, dual, paucal, plural) is marked at all on classifier constructions, it is usually marked on or by classifier…

Universal 1383: Original No language with a traditional auxiliary verb which has subject agreement will not include it in the auxiliary. Standardized IF the finite…

Universal 1399: Original All languages have sentences with sentence-initial and non-sentence initial adverbial constituents.For most, if not all, adverbial constructions in all languages , the…

Universal 1415: Original If heads of possessive constructions agree with their possessors in a given language then verbs agree with subjects in that language. Standardized…

Universal 1431: Original The more developed a case system is, the less is its system of verbal tenses. Standardized IF there is a highly developed…

Universal 1447: Original In an overwhelming majority of languages, if some pronominal form denotes the metaperson ‘hearer’ in the singular, it cannot include among its…

Universal 1463: Original In an overwhelming majority of languages, if some form denotes the metaperson ‘speaker + hearer(s)’ and/or ‘speaker + non-participant(s)’, it cannot include…