Swap distance minimization shapes the order of subject, object and verb in languages of the world

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that across diverse languages, word order variation is influenced by the principle of swap distance minimization, regardless of whether a dominant order like SOV or SVO exists.

Contribution

It introduces the idea that swap distance minimization explains word order variation in languages beyond the common SOV/SVO patterns.

Findings

Languages favor word orders minimizing swap distance.

Swap distance minimization applies even without a dominant order.

The principle explains variation across linguistic families.

Abstract

Languages of the world vary concerning the order of subject, object and verb. The most frequent dominant orders are SOV and SVO, and researchers have tailored models to this fact. However, there are still languages whose dominant order does not conform to these expectations or even lack a dominant order. Here we show that across linguistic families and macroareas, word order variation within languages is shaped by the principle of swap distance minimization even when the dominant order is not SOV/SVO and even when a dominant order is lacking.