ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-145-002 · ATLAS 251

Possessive classification

Lexical classes of possessed nouns that require different possessive marking.

Explanation

Some languages select the form of possession according to the possessed noun, including special pathways for body parts or kin.

Example

Amele contrasts ija na jo ‘my house’ with ija co-ni ‘my mouth’; Anêm likewise has a complex multi-class system.

Counterexample

English Mary's house and the house of Mary do not form an Amele-type lexical class system.

Distinction

possessive form follows the possessed noun's class

Effect on thought and perception

Divides ‘having’ into several forms of belonging.

Resonance

Possession appears as a bundle of relations rather than universal having.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Possessive classification“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-145-002. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-145-002

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-145-002

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