SOV: Why is this the most popular word order across languages?

When languages around the world build a basic sentence, 43% arrange the words this way: subject - object - verb. Who does this? (Hint: not English!) How is it unique? Why is it so popular? Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_... Become my patron:   / nativlang   Check my sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r... ~ Briefly, with spoilers ~ Today we learn the characteristics of SOV and figure out why it's the #1 word order. Along the way we'll cover: SOV's superlatives across history, geography, thought a feel for V (verb) final languages, using a garden path sentence roles: SOV as Agent-Patient-Action flexibility even within SOV languages cues: meaning, case marking, word order SOV as the "language of thought" animacy and (non-)reversible sentences an underlying human-inanimate-action order how removing family and area bias boosts SOV at the expense of SVO colonialism and the (future?) spread of SVO Art, animation and music by me. I've written up a sources document for claims made and for pics, sfx, fonts: Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r... Continuing the call from my OSV video, here are groups to support: Support: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W...