Re: Linguistic Universals?

Paul Bennett wrote:
>
> Quickie:
>
> Is there a linguistic universal that links the order of S, O and V
> within a sentance to any particular order of Adverb+Verb or
> Adjective+Noun?  If so, is there any guideline for the orders
>
        The common "universal" (like all language universals, it is subject to
many exceptions) is between the order verb-object and the order
determiner-determinee (adj-noun, adv-verb, complement-noun, etc...). VO
languages tend to be head-first (noun followed by adjective, verb
followed by adverb), with VSO languages being the most regular in it
(best example: Classical Arabic). OV languages tend on the other hand to
be head-last (adjective in front of noun, adverb in front of verb) with
SOV languages most regular in it (best example: Japanese). Of course
there are exceptions, like Basque (SOV but head-first, at least as far
as adjectives are concerned). SVO is a little tricky, as it has
characteristics both of VO and OV languages. For example, English (SVO,
as you may know :) ) is head-last with adjectives, genitives and
compounds, but head-first with complements of noun precedeed by a
preposition, relative clauses and most adverbs follow the verb. French
on the other hand is also SVO but mostly head-first, even with
adjectives (with some exceptions).

        Another universal that maybe interesting for you is the relation
between pre/postposition and the order object-verb. In this case, VO
languages tend to have prepositions, while OV languages are more likely
to use postpositions (here again, Arabic and Japanese are perfect
examples). SVO languages can have both, and exceptions exist (Latin is
mostly SOV -at least for the unmarked order- but uses prepositions).

> VS
> SVO
> SIVO
>
> (I = Indirect Object)
>
> If it helps, the usual case marking is
>
> V1
> 2V1
> 32V1
>
> For the examples above, respectively.
>
        Such orders give me the impression of a head-first language (like
French or Arabic). But you're free to do what you want. In this case,
universals are very often broken and you can find natlangs of any type.

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--
        Christophe Grandsire

        Philips Research Laboratories --  Building WB 145
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        Phone:  +31-40-27-45006
        E-mail: grandsir@natlab.research.philips.com