This parameter considers the word order of adverbial subordinators that appear in a clause featuring a finite verb. [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, as long as their function is limited to adverbial subordination and they do not specifically express time, place or conditionality, nor mark any type of subordination.[2]
In some languages, the word order of adverbial subordinate clauses depends on their type. The dominant word order of each type is any word order that appears at least twice as frequently as any other word order.
Types:
NoAdvSb: The language does not have adverbial subordinators.[3]
NoFinitAdvSb: Clauses with finite verbs are not used for adverbial subordination in the language.
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.[4]
VSuff: A verbal suffix attaches to the verb stem.
VPref: A verbal prefix attaches to the verb 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.[5]
[1] The subordinate clause must contain a finite main or auxiliary verb and attach to a main clause that contains a verbal predicate.
[2] To constitute a special adverbial subordinator, the affix must only express adverbiality; obligatory subordinate-clause verbal mood affixes do not qualify.
[3] Languages that lack adverbial subordinators are still able to express the function served by adverbial subordination. Strategies include the use of adverbs and adverbials rather than conjunctions or verbal affixes. For example, a language may express cause by using an adposition with the meaning ‘because’ alongside a finite verb, or express a temporal relation by using an adposition with the meaning ‘at the time of.’ If such examples can be found, it is worth examining these cases closely to determine whether they have, in fact, grammaticalized to function as subordinators. This can be tested by placing the word in question next to a noun and observing whether the construction is still grammatical. If not, it is likely the word has grammaticalized.
[4] The position of the subordinator generally follows a specific rule, such as appearing as the second word, following the verb, etc. This should be specified in the commentary.
[5] 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.