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Universal 1491:

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 1491:

Original
As a consequence of the tendency of incorporated nouns to be generic in meaning, they do not seem to be able to trigger ‘transformations’ which imply specific reference: conjuction deletion, Equi-NP-deletion, passivization, relativization, topicalization.
Standardized
IF a noun is incorporated (because it is generic), THEN it cannot trigger transformations’ which imply specific reference: conjuction deletion, Equi-NP-deletion, passivization, relativization, and topicalization.
Keywords
incorporation, conjunction deletion, diathesis, passivization, relativization, topicalization, Equi-NP-deletion, generic, specific reference
Domain
morphology, syntax
Type
implication
Status
achronic
Quality
absolute
Basis
languages with object-incorporation, including Chukchi (Chukchi-Kamchatkan), Yana (Hokan), Kitonemuk (Uto-Aztecan), Gunbalang (Gunwingguan, Australian), Onondaga (Iroquoian), Aztec (Uto-Aztecan), Tongan, Fijian (both Oceanic, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian), Malagasy (Barito, Western Malayo-Polynesian), Turkish (Turkish, Altaic), Mainland Comox (Salish), and others
Source
Mardirussian 1975: 386, Hagège 1978: 61
Counterexamples

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP
    1. May 2020

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