On Fri, 16 Nov 2001 18:52:33 -0000, "Knut" <aquila_grande@...>
wrote:

>Is really Akkadian, Athiopic, Cushitic and Osmotic typical SOV,or are
>they a mixed type - with the Verb last in the sentence, but still
>with preposted attributes, and with prepositions. If so the verb-
>position could easily be explained by geografical influence. I am not
>any expert in those languages, but have once read that explanation.

Cushitic languages are typically SOV, AdjN, postpositional. Amharic
is SOV, AdjN/GN and has both pre- and postpositions. Chadic languages
are typically SVO, prepositional. Akkadian is more mixed type (SOV,
but otherwise prepositional).

Akkadian is supposed to have become SOV under Sumerian influence,
Ethiopic under Cushitic influence, and Chadic VSO under Niger-Congo
influence. But the VSO type of Northern Afroasiatic (Berber-Egyptian-
Semitic) may itself be secondary, given that the verbal and nominal
morphology is still basically postpositional. So Cushitic and Omotic
preserve (or have reverted to) what seems to be the original type.

=======================
Miguel Carrasquer Vidal
mcv@...