minnominalization

Minnominalization is a rare linguistic phenomenon where an adjective or an adverb, rather than a noun, is used in the form of a possessive noun phrase to express a relation to a larger entity. It typically occurs when describing the state or condition of something, conveying a sense of a quality being inherent or part of the larger unit.

In minnominalization, an adjective or adverb is turned into a possessive noun, usually by adding a possessive form of a pronoun. For instance: "Life goes on" can be rephrased as "Life's going." This construction serves to emphasize the connection between the main noun and the attributive modification, adding a sense of ownership or shared experience.

Minnominalization can be observed in various languages, however its occurrence is relatively limited, often restricted to informal speech or poetic expression. It may be used to create particulal styles of expression, such as in spoken dialects, popular songwriting, or philosophic language.

While minnominalization has been studied to some extent, its treatment in formal linguistics is not uniform. Some scholars consider it an instance of a larger process called "possessivization," while others view it as a distinct, albeit minor, linguistic operation. Nonetheless, minnominalization continues to be an important subject in the study of language's structure and usage.

Minnominalization must be clearly distinguished from more common possessive constructions, whose use involves a direct attribution of a noun to a recipient. Its restricted usage and context-dependent occurrence set it apart from the range of possessive sentences more widely encountered in natural use.