This parameter considers the word order of adverbial subordinators that appear in clauses embedded within a main clause[1]. Adverbial subordinators (AdvSb) are used in expressing causes (because, since, etc.), temporal relations (when, before, after, etc.), and implications (if, etc.). Independent words that fulfill this function are known in traditional grammar as subordinate conjunctions, and may appear before, after, or within the subordinate clause. Other strategies include the use of special verbal affixes, which are functionally limited to adverbial subordination.[2]
Types:
NoEmbed: The language does not have embedded subordinate clauses.
NoAdvSb: The language does not use adverbial subordinators with embedded adverbial phrases.
InitAdvSb: An independent subordinator appears at the front of the subordinate clause.
FinalAdvSb: An independent subordinator appears at the end of the subordinate clause.
InternAdvSb: An independent subordinator appears within the subordinate clause.[3]
SuffAdvSb: The language uses suffixes as a means for embedded adverbial subordination that appear (directly or indirectly) after the verbal stem.
PrefAdvSb: The language uses prefixes as a means for embedded adverbial subordination that appear (directly or indirectly) before the verbal stem.
When a language displays two types, both values can be listed. If one type is dominant, a slash (/) can separate the two values, with the dominant value appearing first. If neither type is dominant, they should be listed with an ampersand (&). Parentheses mark a type as optional, while a plus sign (+) indicates that both types are required simultaneously.[4]
[1] Embedded subordinate clauses appear in a main clause. They feature a participle or nominal derived from a verb distinct from that of the main clause’s verbal predicate.
[2] To constitute a special adverbial subordinator, the affix must express a particular type of adverbial; non-adverbial subordinators, such as those in relative clauses, do not qualify.
[3] The position of the subordinator generally follows a specific rule, such as appearing as the second word, following the participle, etc. This should be specified in the commentary.
[4] For example, the value InitAdvSb+VSuff refers to a language that requires the presence of both the sentence-initial subordinator and a suffix of the same function. InitAdvSb(+ VSuff), on the other hand, describes a language in which the sentence-initial subordinator is required, while the verbal suffix is optional. Note that if two strategies are available, but only one can be used obligatorily at a time, they should be listed with an ampersand and no parentheses.