ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-CORE-244-002 · ATLAS 251

Possession

A linguistically marked relation of having, belonging, control, or enduring association between entities.

Explanation

A linguistically marked relation of having, belonging, control, or enduring association between entities. It requires languages to organise very different relations as proximity or belonging, often distinguishing alienable ownership from kinship.

Example

In my house the possessive marks an alterable ownership relation, whereas my mother expresses an inalienable relation.

Counterexample

Merely mentioning “Possession” without the described function is not a sufficient example.

Distinction

Possessive classification divides possessive relations into grammatical classes; possession is the broader relation.

Effect on thought and perception

It requires languages to organise very different relations as proximity or belonging, often distinguishing alienable ownership from kinship.

Resonance

In the atlas, Possession closes 1 previously unresolved reference line(s) and opens controlled paths of thought.

Etymology

Technical core term; individual etymological review pending

Provenance

ATLAS 241 residual-case triage → profile candidate 241-C → source and neighbourhood cross-check → ATLAS 244

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Possession“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-CORE-244-002. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-CORE-244-002

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-CORE-244-002

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