248 SPEKTRUM IRAN  34. Jg.  Nr. 3/4–2021 Problems with the classification of languages according to linguistic universals – using Persian as an example

A critical view of the classification of languages according to linguistic universals is necessary because when analyzing languages one is repeatedly confronted with the assumption that, for example, languages with the SOV word order have postpositions or that they only allow the formation of prenominal relative clauses. In this article, we suggest that Persian provides a counterexample for such generalizations. Using Persian as an example, we also investigate whether the classification of languages by this method can be confirmed by means of a historical overview. Furthermore, it is examined whether the sentence structures of Old and Middle Persian reveal any obvious differences to the contemporary Persian. In the course of this article, several cases that contradict the assumptions of linguistic universals are introduced, and some of these contradicting findings can be explained by diachronic analysis.

248 SPEKTRUM IRAN  34. Jg.  Nr. 3/4–2021 Problems with the classification of languages according to linguistic universals – using Persian as an example Keywords:

Sprachtypologie , Persisch , Wortstellung , Sprachuniversalität , Greenbergs Universalität