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Universal 486:

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 486:

Original
If a language uses a non-zero case marking for a direct object on the animacy/definiteness hierarchies, then it uses a non-zero case marking for direct objects higher on the hierarchies.
Standardized
When direct object is zero-marked or non-zero-marked depending on animacy/definiteness, non-zero case marking is used for direct objects higher on the hierarchies.
Keywords
case, accusative, zero, direct object, animacy, definiteness
Domain
inflection, syntax
Type
no genuine implication; rather: provided that
Status
achronic
Quality
absolute
Basis
languages surveyed in Croft 1990
Source
Croft 1990: 128
Counterexamples

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    1. Animacy/definiteness hierarchy: Person: 1st, 2nd < 3rd; NP type: pronoun < proper name < common; Animacy: human < animate < inanimate; Definiteness: definite < referential < non-referential.2. Relative rank is not predictable since there is a cluster of 4 hierarchies.3. Cf. ##12, 46, 1284.

    1. May 2020

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