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Universal 278:

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 278:

Original
In all languages: if one of the forms of the imperative coincides with a pure (not overtly marked) root, then included in the meanings of that form, we find the meaning of 2nd person singular.
Standardized
IF one of the forms of the imperative coincides with a pure (non-inflected, zero-marked) root, THEN its meanings include that of 2nd person singular.
Keywords
verb, mood, imperative, person, 2, number, singular, root, zero
Domain
inflection
Type
no genuine implication; rather: provided that
Status
achronic
Quality
absolute?
Basis
unspecified
Source
Uspensky 1968: 14 [Uspensky 1972: 68]; Vardul’ 1969, referring to Uspensky
Counterexamples

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    1. Interestingly, these zero imperatives have no other uses; that is, they are not used for other default functions, such as perfective or present habitual. This fact suggests that zero imperatives arise directly as imperatives and not via some other functions (see Bybee [1990] 1994 for discussion). Non-zero expression of imperative must arise as overt material grammaticizes (Bybee, Perkins, & Pagliuca 1994: 210).2. Implicational core: If zero-marked imperatives have meanings other than 2SG, then they will also have 2SG meaning.

    1. May 2020

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