Dependency-length minimization and its limits: A possible role for a probabilistic version of the final-over-final condition

A prominent principle in explaining a range of word-order regularities is dependency locality, which minimizes the linear distances (dependency lengths) between head and its dependents. However, it remains unclear to what extent language users fact observe locality when producing sentences under diverse conditions cross-categorical harmony (such as placement verbal nominal heads on same vs. different sides their dependents), direction (head-final head-initial), parallel hierarchical structures (e.g. multiple adjectives dependent nested genitive dependents). Using forty-five dependency-annotated corpora languages, we find that after controlling for conditioning types, dependency-length minimization (DLM) inversely correlated with overall presence head-final dependencies. This anti-DLM effect more dependencies specifically associated an accumulation dependents disharmonic orders structures. We propose detailed interpretation these results tentatively suggest role probabilistic favors embedding head-initial VO) inside equally thereby length-minimizing relative clauses noun), while (OV) have less pronounced preference DLM. line earlier findings research Greenbergian universals version has been suggested recently final-over-final condition.