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THEORY: Word Order In Phrases

From:Jeff Jones <jeffsjones@...>
Date:Saturday, September 28, 2002, 15:05
I have a question about word order in Natlangs. How common is the order

Noun  Adjectives  Quantifier  Determiner

where Quantifier includes exact and approximate numbers and fractions as
well as logical quantifiers, and Determiner includes things like definite
articles?

It seems odd to me, but is what I came up with in avoiding ambiguity (in
relation to other aspects of a syntax I'm working on). I notice that it's
the reverse order of English (e.g. "the 3 hungry wolves").

I have another question: is there any theoretical reason why or why not
(depending on the answer to the first question).

Thanks, I hope

Jeff J.

Reply

Tim May <butsuri@...>