Attribuutseltlike

Attribuutseltlike is a term used in linguistics to describe a class of modifier expressions that behave like attributes within a noun phrase but are built from material that is not a true attributive adjective. The label is used in theoretical discussions to capture a particular pattern of noun–modifier interaction that can resemble attributive description while arising from non-adjectival sources.

Etymology and sense: The word is a coined compound, drawing on the Dutch word attribuut (attribute) and a suffix modeled on English -like to indicate resemblance. The coinage aims to distinguish these modifiers from ordinary adjectives and from predicative constructions, situating them in between traditional attributive modification and nominal compounding.

Syntactic properties: Attribuutseltlike modifiers typically appear in attributive position within the noun phrase and function as modifiers of the head noun. They may be formed by nouns used as modifiers (noun-noun compounds) or by fixed phrases that have developed adjectival-like usage. Their morphology can be more or less invariant across the head noun, and in some languages they show limited agreement with the head in gender or number, while in others they remain invariable. They often interact with determiners and can influence the interpretation of the head noun by foregrounding specific aspectual or contextual attributes.

Examples and usage: In hypothetical analyses, a phrase like university library system can be described as having an attribuutseltlike modifier, where the compound university library functions as a modifier of system. In practice, noun-noun compounds and other non-adjectival modifiers in various languages can exhibit similar attributive behavior, illustrating how attributive meaning can be expressed beyond genuine adjectives.

Cross-linguistic notes: The phenomenon is observed cross-linguistically but is not universally treated as a distinct grammatical category. It is commonly discussed in typological and syntactic work as a way to account for attributive meaning that arises from non-adjectival material within noun phrases.