This paper deals with the order of objects in double object constructions in Icelandic. It reports on an experimental study which was conducted to test the acceptability of the unmarked and inverted word orders. The study reveals that the inverted object order (direct object precedes indirect object) is in fact not as acceptable as has often been claimed in the previous literature. The paper looks at some of the factors the alternation is sensitive to and tries a first constraint-based analysis. Moreover, a brief comparison between Icelandic and its cousin German is offered.

published