A Comparative Study of Adjective/Standard Order and its Correlation with Verb/Object Order in Taleshi and Gilaki Varieties Based on Dryer’s Branching Direction Theory

The objective of the present study is to report a descriptive-analytic study on the probable correlation between verb/object and adjective/standard orders as well as the dominant word orders of verb/object and adjective/standard in two varieties of northwestern Iranian languages, namely Taleshi and Gilaki, and their correspondence to the Dryer’s Branching Direction Theory. the dominant tendency and correlation of the aforementioned orders were examined and the results were compared on the basis of Dryer’s observed patterns. The data collection was carried out through a structured interview, devised based on a questionnaire including a compilation of 60 Persian sentences and phrases that were translated into Taleshi and Gilaki during interviews with 10 elderly illiterate and semi-literate speakers respectively from Hashtpar and Bandar Anzali. Based on the obtained results, Taleshi variety was proved to be an OV&StAj language. This result corresponds well with Dryers’ findings confirming an obvious preference for StAdj order among OV languages and conforming to BDT. Concerning Gilaki variety, however, samples fell evenly in two groups of either StAdj or AdjSt with OV order. Therefore, there is no definite claim implying the frequent occurrence of StAdj, which can conform to BDT in this variety. It can be concluded that although both Taleshi and Gilaki belong to verb-final languages, their tendencies towards Adj/St order can be the main source of difference distinguishing these varieties. This study can provide an appropriate context for further investigation of word order in language varieties belonging to the same language families at a broad level