Section 1: Syntax & Constituent Order

1.1 Clause-Level Alignment and Basic Typology

Htyailo maintains the same PTB clause, which is SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) clause structure characteristic, exhibiting strict head-final constituent ordering across both simple and complex clauses.

One of the most commonly used primary clausal frame is:

S (IO) (DO) [V-TAM]

Clause structure operates on an Absolutive-Ergative Alignment system marked via postpositional clitics:

• The Absolutive marks intransitive subjects (S) and transitive direct objects (O)
  

• The Ergative (-sʊ, Derived from PTB *s-wa) marks transitive subjects (A)

Example 1.1: Intransitive Clause

Example 1.1.2: Transitive Clause with Ergative Marking