In English the position of the direct and indirect object
depends on the level of substitution:
a)
I give
the book to the woman.
and not
I give to
the woman the book.
b)
I give it to the woman
and not
I give to the woman it.
c)
I give her
the book.
or
I give the book to her.
d)
I give it to her.
and not
I give her it.
In a) there is no substitution: the direct object is
before the indirect object
in b) there is only the direct object substituted: the
direct object is before the indirect object
in c) there is only the indirect object substituted:
the direct object is before the indirect object with
a preposition;
the indirect object can be - without a preposition -
before the direct object
in d) both objects are substitute: the direct object
is before the indirect object (used with a preposition)
In German the rule is: the
indirect object is before the direct object.
The other way around it sounds
very poetic and archaic. It would not be used in everyday
life.