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Universal 1966:

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 1966:

Original
Every language has at least one set of forms or constructions whose primary function (or one of several major functions) is to denote existence, generally with respect to location in space or time, but in the limiting case existence apart from specific location. In other words, every language has an existential element such as a verb or particle, and the denotation of existence is never merely a marginal function of something else.
Standardized
Every language has at least one set of forms or constructions whose primary function (or one of several major functions) is to denote existence, generally with respect to location in space or time, but in the limiting case existence apart from specific location. In other words, every language has an existential element such as a verb or particle, and the denotation of existence is never merely a marginal function of something else.
Keywords
verb, particle, existence
Domain
syntax, semantics
Type
unconditional
Status
achronic
Quality
absolute
Basis
“widely held assumption”
Source
Ferguson 1972: 78-79
Counterexamples

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    Examples: French il y a, Hebrew yes, Chinese zai.

    1. May 2020

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