In ergative languages the subject is characterized by its autonomous position in the sentence: first of all, subject and predicate are in marginal positions: the former left, the latter right; between subject and predicate there is a special rhythmic-intonational break; and in contrast to the almost unmarked direct object, the subject has a special morphological marker.
Standardized
IF alignment is predominantly ergative, THEN (i) subject is initial and verb final, (ii) subject and predicate are separated intonationally, (iii) object tends to be morphologically unmarked, and (iv) subject has a special morphological marker.
Keywords
alignment, ergative, order, subject, direct object, intonation
