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Universal 58:

Posted in Universals Archive

Universal 58:

Original
When the general rule is that the descriptive adjective follows, there may be a minority of adjectives which usually precede, but when the general rule is that descriptive adjectives precede, there are no exceptions.
Standardized
IF the general rule is that the descriptive adjective follows the noun, THEN there may be a minority of adjectives which usually precede, but IF the general rule is that descriptive adjectives precede the noun, THEN there are no exceptions.
Keywords
order, adjective, noun
Domain
syntax
Type
no genuine implication; rather: provided that
Status
achronic
Quality
absolute
Basis
30 languages of Greenberg 1963 sample
Source
Greenberg 1963: 87, #19
Counterexamples

One Comment

  1. FP
    FP

    1. Are these lgs where As normally follows N but some As precede N lgs with incomplete N FRONTING? — i.e., lgs which are underlyingly A N and where N is normally fronted, except with certain As which want to be initial themselves. There would then be (i) underlying/surface A N lgs, (ii) underlying/surface N A lgs, and (iii) underlying A N lgs with N FRONTING. 2. Cf. #1157.

    1. May 2020

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