Morphosyntax Constructions of the World's Languages

Three broad features of modification constructions are the modification--reference continuum, word order of modifiers and head, and anaphoric-head constructions. Nominal modifiers may perform an anchoring function, establishing a referent that helps to pick out the head referent; or they may perform a typifying function, subcategorizing the head referent not unlike prototoypical modifiers. The constructions used for nominal modification vary correspondingly. Numeral and mensural constructions also differ along the modification--reference continuum, albeit with a reversal of head and modifier. Asymmetries in modifier--noun word order obey a number of implicational universals, and also provide evidence that prenominal modifiers are more tightly integrated into the referring phrase than postnominal modifiers. Anaphoric-head modifiers lack a common noun head, and employ either pronominal head or ‘headless’ strategies. Modification constructions may arise diachronically when an anaphoric-head construction comes to be juxtaposed to a common noun and then integrated into a single referring phrase.