Predicative Possession (Feature 77)
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Feature Annotation
Here different formal types of expressing predicative possession are distinguished. We consider only constructions in which the possessed NP has an indefinite reading, like English John has a horse.
If your language has several different ways of expressing predicative possession, you may select several values. Note that for us, the difference between temporary and permanent possession, for which languages may have different constructions, is irrelevant, so you may include both in your choice of values.
Additional remarks
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Values
| Value | Value Annotation | |
| 1 | Transitive possessive construction | Something like “John has a horse”. The possessor is expressed as the subject of a transitive ‘have’ verb, as in English and most European languages. |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Locational possessive construction | Something like “At me/with me is a horse”. The possessor is expressed as a locational or oblique phrase. Sango Ngombe ake na mbi ape. [gun is with me not] ‘I don’t have a gun.’ |
| 3 | Genitive possessive construction | Something like “My horse exists”. The possessor is an adnominal modifier of the possessum which is the subject of an existential predicate. Nigerian Pidgin Mà mòto de. [my car exist] ‘I have a car.’ |
| 4 | Comitative possessive construction | Something like “He is with a horse.” The possessum is expressed as a comitative phrase. Lungwa Santome Sela n sa ku jêlu ni mon. [necessary I cop with money in hand] ‘I must have money on me.’ |
| 5 | Topic possessive construction | Something like “As far as the man is concerned, there is a horse.” The possessor is specially marked as a topic, and the possessum is the subject of an existential predicate. |
| 6 | Other | (Please give details in the “General comments” field.) |
WALS No.
117 (Total)
