Universal 1975:

Universal 1975:

Original

When a language with a full copula begins to lose it, or when a language with a zero copula begins to develop one, the use in which the change is initiated is that of identity or equivalence with a noun complement.

Standardized

When a language with a full copula begins to lose it, or when a language with a zero copula begins to develop one, the use in which the change is initiated is that of identity or equivalence with a noun complement.

Keywords

copula, zero

Domain

syntax

Type

implication

Status

diachronic

Quality

absolute?

Basis

impressionistic

Source

Ferguson 1972: 96-97

Counterexamples