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Towards a typology of prominent internal possessors

Nikolaeva, Irina; Barany, Andras; Bond, Oliver

Authors

Andras Barany

Oliver Bond



Contributors

Andras Barany ab155@soas.ac.uk
Editor

Oliver Bond ob1@soas.ac.uk
Editor

Irina Nikolaeva in3@soas.ac.uk
Editor

Abstract

It is generally assumed that properties of the phrasal head determine the properties of a syntactic phrase as a whole. This chapter shows that some possessive constructions present a challenge to these assumptions, since in such constructions internal possessors, standardly analysed as dependents of possessed head nouns, exhibit a number of head-like properties. These properties determine the behaviour of the whole phrase in the larger syntactic domain. Such possessors are referred to as ‘prominent internal possessors’ (PIPs). The chapter provides a typological overview of PIPs based on a survey of approximately sixty languages from different parts of the world. It discusses the role of PIPs in two syntactic processes, namely, indexing on the verb via grammatical agreement or pronominal incorporation and switch-reference, as well as accompanying functional effects. It also addresses the question of how the phenomenon of PIPs can be accounted for in theoretical terms.

Citation

Nikolaeva, I., Barany, A., & Bond, O. (2019). Towards a typology of prominent internal possessors. In A. Barany, O. Bond, & I. Nikolaeva (Eds.), Prominent Internal Possessors (1-38). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198812142.003.0001

Online Publication Date May 1, 2019
Publication Date Apr 3, 2019
Deposit Date Feb 1, 2019
Publicly Available Date Apr 4, 2119
Publisher Oxford University Press
Pages 1-38
Book Title Prominent Internal Possessors
ISBN 9780198812142
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198812142.003.0001
Keywords prominent internal possessor, agreement, switch-reference, possessive construction, internal possessor

Files

This file is under embargo until Apr 4, 2119 due to copyright reasons.

Contact outputs@soas.ac.uk to request a copy for personal use.




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