linguistic universal
- noun
- /lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪk ˈjunɪvɚsəl/
- Specialized
:
universal lingüístico
- Subject-verb-object word order is sometimes discussed as a possible linguistic universal.
Examples
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Many researchers have debated whether the existence of a linguistic universal implies an innate language faculty.
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The search for a linguistic universal has deeply influenced the field of linguistics.
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Every language has at least one linguistic universal.
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The concept of a linguistic universal is fascinating.
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Many researchers have debated whether the existence of a linguistic universal implies an innate language faculty.
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Subject-verb-object word order is sometimes discussed as a possible linguistic universal.
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Every language has at least one linguistic universal.
Synonyms
A grammar rule that appears in all human languages
How Universal
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'linguistic' (relating to language) with 'universal' (applying to all); together they clearly indicate a language feature found across languages. This compositional pattern is straightforward and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both words should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
The phrase linguistic universal combines linguistic, meaning 'about language', and universal, meaning 'the same everywhere', so picture a small rule that appears in many languages like a single thread running through them all. That's why it means 'a rule or feature found in all languages'.