An asymmetry between VO and OV languages

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32 citations0/0 files storedTypological studies in language

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Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation Language Development and Disorders Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism

Abstract

The World Atlas of Language Structures has established an interesting asymmetry between head-initial (VO) and head-final (OV) languages with respect to the ordering of oblique phrases, i.e., phrases corresponding to with the key and on the table in opened [ the door ] [ with the key ] and put [ the book ] [ on the table ]. Head-initial grammars have a consistent and almost exceptionless preference for VOX order. Head-final grammars have variable basic orders: all of XOV, OXV and OVX are productively attested, and there are fewer clear basic orders than in VO languages. In this paper I offer a multi-factor explanation for this grammatical asymmetry in terms of processing efficiency, developing principles proposed in Hawkins (1994, 2004).

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References

1964ASPECTS OF THE THEORY OF SYNTAX 1963Some Universals of Grammar with Particular Reference to the Order of Meaningful Elements 2014Noun Phrase Accessibility and Universal Grammar 2004Efficiency and Complexity in Grammars 1992The Greenbergian Word Order Correlations 1999A performance theory of order and constituency. By John A. Hawkins (Cambridge studies in linguistics 73.) Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994. Pp. xx, 496. Paper $29.95.1987An Incremental Procedural Grammar for Sentence Formulation 1999Markedness and Subject Choice in Optimality Theory

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