genitiviga

Genitiviga is a proposed typological term for a class of possessive constructions in which the genitive relation is expressed by a morphological marker attached to the possessor noun rather than the possessed noun. The marker is typically described as a suffix or clitic, often written as -iga, that marks possession or relational belonging. In genitiviga systems, the possessor bears the genitive marker while the possessed noun remains in base form, yielding word orders in which the possessor precedes the possessed and carries the marker; some languages allow both possessor-first and possessed-first orders.

The morphology of genitiviga can interact with noun class, number, definiteness, and agreement with surrounding elements. The marker may be a standalone particle in some varieties or attached directly to the possessor noun. Some descriptions allow optional co-marking with other case or determiner systems.

Examples are usually constructed in typological work, since genitiviga is not widely attested as a mainstream category. In a hypothetical language, Mira-iga kitab would be interpreted as “Mira’s book,” with Mira carrying the genitive marker -iga and kitab meaning “book.” Other variants may realize genitiva via a clitic attached to the possessor phrase or a separate particle.

Genitiviga is debated among linguists. Some scholars view it as a rare, cross-linguistically informative pattern that highlights locus of marking in possessive systems. Others caution that apparent genitiviga-like patterns can be analyzed as other possessive constructions, such as noun-noun compounds or prepositional phrases.

Name origin: The term genitiviga combines genitive with a suffix-like element -iga; it was coined in contemporary linguistic discussions to label this construction type.