Cross-linguistic variations in word order flexibility are often explained in terms of (non-)
configurationality. A language is considered to be configurational if it follows a strict word
order, fixed by the syntactic functions of core arguments, or discourse/non-configurational if
it has a relatively free word order, governed by discourse (Hale 1983, E. Kiss 1995, Baker
1996, Nordlinger 1998, Austin & Bresnan 2001).
Present a fraction of our current research on the syntax of the nominal state alternation ─
Construct/annexed vs. Free States ─ in Taqbaylit, a Berber (Afro-Asiatic) language spoken
(primarily) in the Kabylie region of Northern Algeria. After König (2007) and Akadiev
(2015), we analyse the state alternation as a case alternation following a marked nominative
pattern. Marked nominative is quite rare typologically and seems to be found only in a few
African languages in East Africa (König 2007). Languages with marked nominative case
share some properties; e.g. V first and do not mark case in pre-verbal positions.