Category: Universals Archive

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…

Universal 1393: future participle ⇒ past participle & present participle Original A future participle implies both past and present participles but neither of the two…

Universal 1409: Original In interjections one or more marginal phonemes occur with a percentage which is characteristic only for principle phonemes. Standardized In interjections one…

Universal 1425: Original If a language has any passives it has ones characterized as basic; moreover, it may have only basic passives. Standardized IF there…

Universal 1441: Original In an overwhelming majority of languages, there is a special form to denote the metaperson ‘speaker’. Standardized In an overwhelming majority of…

Universal 1457: Original In an overwhelming majority of languages, if some form denotes the metaperson ‘non-participant’ in the non-singular, then it cannot be used to…