Question

If an SOV language allows movement to OSV and VSO word orders, the resulting word order will be known as:

• A. Unmarked
• B. Marked
• C. Ungrammatical
• D. Default

Hint:

Unmarked = normal word order; Marked = allowed but unusual shift for focus/emphasis.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Recall basic concepts
- Unmarked word order = the default or most natural order for a language (e.g., SOV in Hindi, SVO in English).
- Marked word order = non-standard variations permitted for stylistic, emphatic, or pragmatic reasons (e.g., OSV, VSO shifts).
- Ungrammatical = sequences not allowed at all in the grammar.
- Default = same as unmarked.

Step 2: Apply to question
The question says the SOV language allows movements to OSV and VSO. Since these variations are possible but not default, they are considered marked orders. \[ \boxed{\text{Correct Answer: Marked (B)}} \]