Evidence from Formosan for a unified theory of adverb ordering

► The Cinque (1999) and Ernst (2002) analyses of adverbs are compared. ► Adverbial meanings are expressed by verbs in aboriginal languages of Taiwan. ► Adverbial verbs cannot be adjuncts, so the Cinque analysis must apply for them. ► Adverb order in Formosan still seems to follow Ernst's semantic criteria. ► Thus, the structure of adverbial constructions and adverb ordering must be two separate independent issues.