Universal 57: Adj N ⇒ Dem N & Num N

Universal 57: Adj N ⇒ Dem N & Num N

Original

When the descriptive adjective precedes the noun, the demonstrative and the numeral, with overwhelmingly more than chance frequency, do likewise.

Standardized

IF the descriptive adjective precedes the noun, THEN, with overwhelmingly more than chance frequency, the demonstrative and the numeral do likewise.

Keywords

adjective, noun, demonstrative, numeral, order

Domain

syntax

Type

implication

Status

achronic

Quality

statistical

Basis

30 languages of Greenberg 1963 sample

Source

Greenberg 1963: 86, #18

Counterexamples

1. A N & N Num: A number of Niger-Congo languages, almost all the Adamawa-Ubangian group, at least one Benue-Congo language, e.g. Efik, Sango, Zande (Greenberg 1989a: 113, 1995: 147; see also Dryer 1988: 208). Gbaya Kaka, Gbeya Bossangoa, Sango, Linda, Zande, Nzakara, Barambu, Ma (all Adamawa-Ubangian, Niger-Congo); Majang (Surmic, Nilo-Saharan); Gude (Biu-Mandara, Chadic, Afro-Asiatic), Hausa, Pa’anci (West Chadic, Afro-Asiatic); Newari, Tamang, Gurung, Thakali, Purki, Balti (Tibetic, Tibeto-Burman), Gallong, Mising, Nishi, Idu (Mirish, Tibeto-Burman); Yagaria, Kewa (East New Guinea Highlands); Yareba (Central and SE New Guinea); Ambulas (Sepik) (Dryer 2000).2. A N & N Dem: Tojolabal and Tzotzil (both Mayan) (Pickett 1983: 543).Berbice Dutch Creole; Mangbetu (C. Sudanic, Nilo-Saharan) [but see Comment 1], the latter is also a language with A N & N Num (Rijkhoff 1992: 257). Gbaya Kaka, Nzakara, Gbeya Bossangoa, Sango, Linda (all Adamawa-Ubangian, Niger-Congo); Majang (Surmic, Nilo-Saharan), Kresh (Bongo-Bagirmi, Nilo-Saharan); Gude (Biu-Mandara, Chadic, Afro-Asiatic), Hausa, Pa’anci (West Chadic, Afro-Asiatic), Chaha (Semitic, Afro-Asiatic); Lahu (Burmic, Sino-Tibetan)[but see Comment 1], Dafla (Tibetic, Sino-Tibetan)[but see Comment 1]; Central Agta (Philippine Austronesian); Nisgha, Coast Tsimshian (Tsimshianic); Jakaltek (Mayan) (Dryer 1989: 272, 2000).