The Tensedness Universals of Adjective Encoding: B. If a language is non-tensed, it will have verby adjectives. If a language has verby adjectives, it will be non-tensed.
Standardized
IF there is non-tensedness, THEN adjectives are verby. IF adjectives are verby, THEN there is non-tensedness.
1. Guugu Yimidhirr, Dyirbal and Uradhi (Australian) pose a problem for Tensedness Universal (TU): one could conclude that predicative adjectives in these languages are verby. This conclusion would make Dyirbal a regular confirmation of TU, as this is a non-tensed language; however, Guugu Yimidhirr and Uradhi, which are clearly tensed, would be genuine counterexamples. Alternatively, one might rate these languages as nouny, on the basis of the case agreement exhibited by predicate adjectives. Under this option Dyirbal would constitute a counterexample to the TU, while the other two languages would emerge as regular. (Stassen 1997: 10.8) 2. There are several intermediate cases, i.e. languages which have mixed verbal systems and split encoding of predicative adjectives. In general, these are languages which are on the drift from one system to another. Conforming the TU, the drift in one of the systems (e.g. verbal) is combined by the shift in encoding of predicative adjectives. (Stassen ibid.)3. Cf. #1031, 1001
1. Guugu Yimidhirr, Dyirbal and Uradhi (Australian) pose a problem for Tensedness Universal (TU): one could conclude that predicative adjectives in these languages are verby. This conclusion would make Dyirbal a regular confirmation of TU, as this is a non-tensed language; however, Guugu Yimidhirr and Uradhi, which are clearly tensed, would be genuine counterexamples. Alternatively, one might rate these languages as nouny, on the basis of the case agreement exhibited by predicate adjectives. Under this option Dyirbal would constitute a counterexample to the TU, while the other two languages would emerge as regular. (Stassen 1997: 10.8) 2. There are several intermediate cases, i.e. languages which have mixed verbal systems and split encoding of predicative adjectives. In general, these are languages which are on the drift from one system to another. Conforming the TU, the drift in one of the systems (e.g. verbal) is combined by the shift in encoding of predicative adjectives. (Stassen ibid.)3. Cf. #1031, 1001