Northern Mansi possessive suffixes in non-possessive function

Abstract

Northern Mansi possessive suffixes Abstract. Research on possessive suffixes in Ob-Ugric languages, as in most Uralic languages, has primarily viewed them in the light of their terminological denomination -i.e., as markers of possessive relations, traditionally referred to as their prototypic use. Whenever this onomasiology-based approach fails, the usage of possessive suffixes is considered non-prototypical; a secondary or determinative function of possessive suffixes is cited. In my paper, I will claim that the original function of possessive suffixes in Ob-Ugric languages is not to denote a possessive relation and, in consequence, there is no concept of non-prototypical use. Instead, possessive suffixes denote a relation between two entities, whose default interpretation is a possessive one. I will claim that both, the prototypic and the non-prototypic use is an outcome of the very same property of possessive suffixes, which is to establish reference. In consequence, possessive suffixes play an important role in information structure.

Funktionen von Possessivsuffixen in den ugrischen Sprachen

“…Bei letzteren handelt es sich um Vorträge der Konferenz »Grammar and Context IV: New Approaches to the Uralic Languages«, welche 2013 in Tartu stattgefunden hat und Ausgangspunkt einer zukünftigen sprachzweig-übergreifenden Forschung zum Possessivsuffix darstellt. Den ersten Schritt bildet ein Sonderband zur Konferenz mit dem Themenschwerpunkt der referentiellen Verweismittel in den uralischen Sprachen, welche auch ein Aufsatz der Verfasserin der vorliegenden Arbeit zum Possessivsuffix im Nord-Mansischen enthält (Janda 2015…”